Residents press city on Global Concentrates site review and air‑impact concerns; staff say permits and emissions review required

Residents at the Franklin City town hall asked detailed questions about a proposed concentrate/juice factory and a separate housing parcel across from Lowe’s, citing odor and emissions concerns, nearby senior and child populations, and modest local job projections.

Brenda Peterson asked for an update on Global Concentrates and whether an environmental study or emissions review will be required before approval. Franklin‑Southampton economic development staff (identified in the meeting as Mr. Heck, director/chairman for the local economic authority) said the company’s plans are in site‑plan review and that the city engaged Kimley Horn to review documents; Global Concentrates must respond to plan comments and obtain permits. Staff confirmed that permits covering stormwater, air emissions and related environmental controls are required and that the site‑plan review process includes environmental screening steps.

Residents noted the developer had stated plans to create about 50 jobs over five years and questioned whether that tradeoff is worth potential impacts on health and quality of life. City staff reiterated that regulatory permits (including air permits where applicable) and other approvals are required before issuance of occupancy or operation permits. On the separately discussed parcel across from Lowe’s, staff said a property owner (recorded in the meeting as Lynwood Turner) owns the site and that no final development approval has been issued; until an application is submitted the final land use is not determined.

What’s next: staff said they are waiting for resubmitted plans from the developer to clear review comments and for any state/federal permitting processes to complete. Residents urged the council to ensure robust environmental and public‑health review and to communicate permit timelines and findings to the public when available.