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Plan Commission reviews second draft of Franklin City comprehensive master plan updates
Summary
Commissioners discussed partial updates to the comprehensive master plan (chapters 1, 2, 5 and appendices) including extending the planning horizon to 2050, public‑participation results from an Arbor Day open house, and proposed land‑use map amendments (including changing ~350 acres near South 60th & County Line Road from residential to agricultural).
The City of Franklin Plan Commission reviewed a second draft of partial updates to the comprehensive master plan on June 18, focusing on chapters 1, 2 and 5 and several appendices. Staff said the update extends the plan's planning horizon to 2050, incorporates new demographic data, and includes results from recent public participation.
Mr. Martinez introduced the draft and noted it is a partial update that will be followed by additional plan‑commission review and a public hearing before common council adoption. Planner Melton summarized results from an Arbor Day open house attended by about 60 participants, saying the event produced sticker‑map feedback and priority votes; Melton said concerns included flooding, impacts to natural resources, property maintenance and historic preservation while liked topics included parks and open space.
Staff also presented proposed future‑land‑use adjustments. Key proposals included: • South 60th Street / South County Line Road area: staff recommended changing roughly 350 acres currently mapped for residential to an agricultural designation because the area is mostly zoned agricultural, is constrained by surrounding floodplain and lies more than 3,000 feet from existing water and sewer infrastructure. • Rainwood Manor / small business‑park parcel: a former business‑park parcel the school district acquired in 2025 is recommended to be changed to residential to match surrounding subdivisions and the parcel's current use. • Planned Development District parcel: staff recommended a small single‑family area be reclassified to multi‑family to align with an existing PDD ordinance that allows multi‑family.
On policy, staff retained 15 recommendations from the plan's land‑use chapter and removed 18 items already accomplished by the 2025 Unified Development Ordinance; staff proposed two new items: conducting more detailed neighborhood/area plans and studying incorporation of universal design principles to improve accessibility.
Policymaker discussion included a substantive comment from Alderman Solis arguing the city's 5‑acre minimum policy for septic‑served single‑family parcels is short‑sighted and can lead to poor long‑term reuse of land; staff replied that that southwest‑area appendix (which contains the 5‑acre policy) was not part of this partial update but could be considered for future study. Commissioner Haley urged the incorporation of universal design principles and noted accessibility obligations under federal law.
No formal action was requested on the draft at this meeting; staff said additional plan commission meetings and public hearings are expected as the draft proceeds toward adoption.
