New Plan for Downtown Franklin Headed to Planning Commission

City officials are reviewing a draft plan for future development in downtown Franklin. The plan emphasizes maintaining residential housing in the city’s core and could get the stamp of the planning commission next month.

The draft calls for the preservation of historic structures while inviting new businesses to fill in empty lots in the core of Franklin.

Erin Reinders of the Department of Planning and Sustainability says residential housing is also a key component.

“A mixture of uses is needed for a viable downtown. We need to have the residents to be able to support the businesses, and the businesses to draw more residential uses and to draw visitors.”

Despite its policy for increasing density in some parts of downtown Franklin, the elevation of buildings is capped at a maximum of four stories.

The plan does not set any legal requirements for building. It sets a policy for the Franklin Planning Commission to use when considering developments.

See the draft here.