Process and Outreach | ENVISION FRANKLIN 133 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 2022-2023 WILLIAMSON COUNTY GROWTH PLAN UPDATE Williamson County’s Growth Plan, which was developed pursuant to the requirements of Public Chapter 1101, was adopted in April of 2001. The Growth Plan established Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs) around each of the six municipalities, as well as four Planned Growth Areas within the County. These growth boundaries had not been altered since their adoption in 2001. Early in 2021, the City of Franklin, along with Williamson County, Brentwood, Fairview, Nolensville, Spring Hill, and Thompson’s Station began working collaboratively to update the Williamson County Growth Plan. Throughout the summer of 2021, an interdepartmental team of City staff began meeting weekly to analyze the Franklin UGB by drainage basins. During these meetings, City of Franklin staff discussed infrastructure availability, extensions and needs, and costs associated with providing public services to territory within the UGB and for the territory proposed to be added. Environmental features such as floodplains, steep slopes, and agricultural lands that wish to remain working farms were all considered during the discussions and analysis. Development suitability, the cost to extend municipal services, population projections, and the study of necessary land uses to accommodate managed and strategic growth all factored into the preliminary staff recommendations for the updated UGB. Through a series of community meetings and a public survey, City of Franklin staff engaged the citizens to raise awareness of the UGB study and provide feedback on the preliminary recommendations. Several property owners made specific requests to be removed from the UGB, and they were given an opportunity to publicly present their unique circumstances. Based on these presentations and feedback from the elected officials, adjustments to the boundary were made accordingly. In total, the staff engaged the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen at six different public work session meetings throughout the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022 for their input and guidance. Additionally, the staff engaged the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission and Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen and two public joint workshops during the fall of 2021. Due to continued growth and development along the I-65 corridor, the City proposed an expansion of the UGB south of Long Lane and east of I-65. Through the referendum process, the City has annexed over 800 acres outside of the UGB in this area, and city services and infrastructure can be extended to support additional growth. A coordinated study of land uses, infrastructure, and the roadway network occurred for the territory recommended to be added. The City also proposed a reduction of the UGB north of New Highway 96 West, along US 31 Columbia Pike, and also along Carters Creek Pike and Southall Road. The reductions will help preserve rural character in the areas along Carters Creek Pike and north of New Highway 96 West. Minor adjustments along the fringes of the UGB have been made so the updated boundary follows parcel lines. In total, the City of Franklin added approximately 2,173 acres to the UGB and to removed approximately 2,534 acres, for a net loss of 361 acres. The official Williamson County Growth Plan adoption process began on June 13, 2023 with the convening of the Coordinating Committee. The City of Franklin held two required public hearings prior to the BOMA approval of Resolution 2023-44 establishing Franklin’s proposed UGB to the Coordinating Committee. The Growth Plan Update is still ongoing.
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