Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Commission approves Hillside/Hillcrest overlay revision after map clarifications
Loading...
Summary
The commission approved Ordinance 20-25-54 to revise the Hillside/Hillcrest overlay (HHO) after the applicant resubmitted a conservation-line adjustment and staff explained which portions of the property remain non-buildable; one longtime resident opposed the change citing historic non-buildability.
The Franklin Municipal Planning Commission on March 26 approved Ordinance 20-25-54, a rezoning amendment that revises the Hillside/Hillcrest overlay (HHO) boundary for a property south of Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway and east of Franklin Road at 354 Franklin Road.
Staff said the item was deferred from the previous month and that the applicant revised the proposed HHO line to align with an updated conservation design concept. Staff recommended approval, saying the revision provides additional buffer for residential lots along Ash Drive. "So staff is now supportive of the recommendation, and we are recommending approval of ordinance 20 25 dash 54," a staff member told the commission.
Elaine Harrison, who said she has lived in the area since 1972, opposed the project and told the commission she believed parts of the land had long been considered unbuildable. The staff response clarified that the HHO (dark green on the map) covers large areas where building is not permitted, but portions of the property closer to the railroad and Mac Hatcher Memorial Parkway are outside the HHO and may be buildable depending on slope and other constraints. The staff explanation also noted that a new parkland agreement, certificates of appropriateness from the historic zoning commission and an updated traffic study would be required for any new plan if entitlements were to lapse.
Greg Gamble, representing the applicant, said he provided an aerial survey showing existing tree canopy and a revised HHO (purple) line to address staff conditions. Commissioners discussed a perceived Williamson County GIS mapping error and one commissioner said a site visit made them comfortable supporting the HHO amendment; another commissioner noted that the Central Franklin overlay provides historic-stone-wall protections in addition to the HHO. After discussion, the motion to approve passed; the chair announced "the ayes have it" and Ordinance 20-25-54 was approved.
