Franklin approves plans for new subdivision
Plans for a brand new residential subdivision in Franklin will move forward after the town board of aldermen approved a special-use permit for Scenic Ridge Properties.
DEL Construction and Providence Builders in Franklin plan to turn about 55 acres off of Highlands Road between Thomas Heights Road and Tennessee View Street into a subdivision with up to 59 lots and 32 townhomes.
“This looks like the kind of development we want for Franklin,” said Alderwoman Barbara McRae. “We need residential development.”
The board unanimously approved the special-use permit request to change the zoning on the eight parcels from residential and secondary commercial to a split use of secondary commercial and planned residential development as outlined in the town’s Unified Development Ordinance. The 59 single-family lots will now be zoned PRD and the 32 townhomes will be special use secondary commercial. The property is currently vacant and consists of woodlands, pasture and small streams.
Town Planner Justin Setser said 32 people who live within 400 feet of the proposed subdivision attended a neighborhood compatibility meeting — a requirement of the special permit application. Overall, he said the response was positive. While neighbors had many questions about the project, Setser said no one was opposed to it.
“I live in that neighborhood and I think it will be done right and will be good for the town,” said Alderman Joe Collins.
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Setser said the subdivision is estimated to need about 40,000 gallons of water a day from the town system and 36,000 gallons a day for sewer capacity. He added that the subdivision’s streets would be built to town standards so that the town could easily take over ownership and maintenance of the streets when they are completed.
“We’ve really tried to comply with the town’s UDO in every way we possibly can,” said Neil Enloe, manager of Providence Builders.
The developers also want the town to take over all the new water and sewer lines in the subdivision once it’s completed. Setser said many of the residents who attended the neighborhood compatibility meeting were excited at the possibility of extending those lines a little further to serve their homes.
According to Enloe’s application, the subdivision will have five different access points — one off Thomas Heights and another main entrance off Highlands Road to serve the 59 single-family lots and three other entrances off Tennessee View Street to serve the townhomes as well as the single-family lots.
The town planning board recommended approving the special-use permit after reviewing the application and finding it met all the standards.
