Franklin commissioners favor streamlined review for minor site-plan amendments

Franklin planning commissioners on July 15 discussed proposals to shorten the village's site-plan review timeline for routine or minor amendments.

Chris explained current practice: "For normal site plan review that doesn't involve special land use or rezoning, it in Franklin, it goes to the planning commission first," he said, adding that the existing ordinance requires a planning commission public hearing and then a council decision. He offered four alternatives: keep the current process, eliminate public hearings for standard site-plan reviews, remove council from routine reviews, or create an accelerated administrative or small-panel review for minor amendments.

Members noted that Franklin meets monthly and that the additional delay can encumber businesses and applicants. David said he would like to "see an accelerated process as much as possible," while several commissioners supported a model where planning staff or a small review panel handles minor amendments and items without clear controversy, with appeals to council preserved if an applicant or resident objects.

Commissioners asked Chris to draft sample ordinance language that would codify an accelerated amendment pathway and define what qualifies as a minor amendment; staff will return with proposed language for the commission's consideration at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff to prepare draft language delineating amendment types, an appeals process and notification parameters, and present the drafts at the next meeting.