Fellowship Bible Church asks Franklin to delay Lewisburg Pike sidewalk; aldermen debate mulch path and 10‑year deferral

Fellowship Bible Church representatives asked the board Tuesday to delay construction of a required sidewalk on Lewisburg Pike and to allow an internal mulch path in place of concrete for certain campus connections, saying state road improvements could tear out newly built sidewalk and the congregation needs time to raise funds.

Joey, a city planner, told the board staff recommends disapproval of two modification-of-standards requests: MOS #2 (permit an internal mulch pedestrian connection and limit the required sidewalk at building fronts) and MOS #3 (defer the Lewisburg Pike sidewalk until the state widens the road or for 10 years). Planning Commission recommended approval with revised language requiring concrete sidewalks and a development agreement tying the two sidewalk elements together.

Greg Gamble, representing Fellowship Bible Church, said the church wants to preserve an open-field area for community use and avoid installing a sidewalk that might later be removed when the state reconstructs Lewisburg Pike. "Every dollar that's used in development or construction is ... a donation, a sacrifice that is made," Gamble said, arguing timing and coordination with larger roadwork should guide when sidewalks are installed.

A church representative also told the board the initial campus building sits about 1,500 feet back from Lewisburg Pike and the project already includes significant site work: "We're spending $7 million on site work," the representative said, urging the board to consider a development agreement to specify timing for sidewalks.

Several aldermen voiced concern about accessibility if a mulch path is installed. "I don't think a mulch makes any sense, especially here in Franklin," Alderman Brown said, adding that primary walkways need to be a solid surface to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Alderman Barnhill said he would not support modifications that remove sidewalks from the city standard and stressed uncertainty about the state timeline for widening Lewisburg Pike.

Planning Commission recommended that the internal pedestrian connection be concrete and parallel the driveway, and that construction of sidewalks along Lewisburg Pike and the internal connector be tied to a development agreement so timing is enforceable. Staff said the city currently lacks a mechanism to defer construction for an indefinite period and recommended disapproval of the plan revision as submitted.

The board did not take a final vote during the work session. Staff said it would work with the applicant to draft a development agreement and return with more precise language and enforceable timelines.

The board will consider the item again at the public hearing set for July 14, 2026.