STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING # 4 Notes City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Update In Attendance Tricia Bechman Carol Chapel David Clendening Lisa Fears Megan Hart Larry Heydon Dustin Huddleston Mayor Joe McGuinness Jim Martin Rob Shilts Loren Snyder City Planning Staff Krista Linke, Kevin Tolloty, Rhoni Oliver, Jaime Shilts, Travis Underhill and Matt Zimmerman Consultant Team Scott Burgins (SDG), Cory Daly (HWC), and Catie Kosinski (SDG) Updates The next steering committee will not be held until April. In the meantime, updates will be made regularly to the project webpage at the following URL: http://www.sdg.us/city-of-franklincomprehensive-plan/ The venue for this meeting changed from Beeson Hall to City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor McGuinness explained the city is replacing all of the windows in City Hall and hired local a preservation and renovation firm that had been honored by the state as an emerging business. Construction work continues on the city s aquatic center, and the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center has added to the weight room. In project updates, the public survey has been posted online and printed copies distributed to the city. A press release went out publicizing the public survey, and people have started to call about the plan. The survey deadline will be extended to include the public meeting date. Several focus groups have been held with stakeholders in economic development, housing, recreation, and transportation. Next week, we will have a meeting with the planning department staff to discuss zoning and subdivision code revisions. In March, we will meet with city department heads and hold a public meeting. City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting #4 Notes 1
Creating a Vision & Development Principles Much of the planning process has focused on details, but the big picture vision for Franklin future has not emerged. The vision statement from the 2002 plan was somewhat vague and does not provide a strong direction. Development principles are bold statements that provide concrete guidance for decision making on local issues. Scott presented several examples from other communities. For instance, he asked to what extent historical freshness described Franklin s identity. The city is currently making several investments mostly in its historic downtown. Cory explained that the city is already supporting compact urban form in its downtown improvements. Compact urban form emphasizes walkability and districts using a traditional neighborhood model. It is an important consideration for attracting younger, diverse people to live in Franklin. Cory added that new urbanism is an emerging model that many communities such as Fishers and Carmel are adopting to create a vibrant town center that looks historic. One steering committee member wondered how communities of Franklin s size connect downtown with new commercial areas. The corridor between U.S. 31 and downtown needs improving. Another member wanted Franklin to start seeing itself as a small city not a small town. We have a small town quality but we are so much more than that. There are opportunities to take advantage of connecting the commercial areas with downtown. The city s gateway project takes S.R. 44 through downtown to I-65. The gateway could tie the areas together. The city center could be promoted along the U.S. 31 commercial areas. Krista said that sustainability seems to be a trend of this comprehensive planning process. Utilizing vacant properties is emerging as a theme in the preliminary public survey results. The city planning department has seen more permits for home remodels than new building permits. A steering committee member said that many people are ingrained to think of commercial and retail areas where they can drive and park. Franklin s commercial district is west of downtown. Cory noted that I-65 is going to draw commercial development. Stricter controls as can be stated in a comprehensive plan will protect this area for the uses that the city wants. A comprehensive plan can recommend that new development be directed in specific locations. In the absence of planning, communities can have competing use areas. City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting #4 Notes 2
Several committee members expressed the sentiment that Franklin, like many Indiana communities, has a walking problem not a parking problem. People want to park right in front of services, but they will actually walk much farther to park and shop at Wal-Mart. Another member said that Franklin is a unique downtown and a college town. However, most small towns that make the best of lists are destination locations. They are places that people drive out of their way to go to because the towns offer downtown entertainment, theatres, restaurants, and shopping. Franklin has a decent housing stock downtown that can be restored; the missing teeth just need to be addressed downtown. This sentiment was echoed by another member who said that Franklin needs an anchor that will draw people for an entire day. The Artcraft Theatre does a good job of bringing people to the community but only at certain times. A recent antique show at the fairgrounds drew people to antique shops and restaurants downtown. Mayor McGuiness said that Franklin has a lot of opportunities because of its location with state highways and interstate access. The city has taken steps toward improving and enhancing the area near I-65. Recent declines in the city s assessed home valuations indicate that the development of higher-end housing is necessary. Neighborhood standards and basic clean-up programs are other strategies that need to be looked at in the plan. The lower assessed values also negatively impact the school corporation. A steering committee member concurred that young professionals want to build or acquire new higher-end homes. The city should consider areas near the high school and west and south of the city are possible areas for future executive level housing developments. Krista said that the city has some 50 lots available in the Legends West subdivision for custom-built homes. However, another member said that the drive there may not be as appealing as potential home builders would like. Corridor building may offer some solutions to improving important routes. The city may need to be open to experimentation to create destinations. Land Use Exercise Cory led the steering committee through an exercise to develop some land use goals that will guide plan objectives and policies. The comprehensive plan will determine growth patterns and shape zoning decisions. City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting #4 Notes 3
UNATTRACTIVE The first part of the exercise asked people to indicate on a map the most unattractive place in Franklin. It could be an intersection or location. Members of the steering committee then shared what locations they considered most unattractive. Their answers are included below: I-65 interchange o Needs development and improved appearance o Corridor to Forsythe/Jefferson Streets area before Branigin o Primary traffic for passersby o Confusing gateway that lacks identity o Needs higher visibility o King Street, The Cove and Relax Inn are not appealing Johnson Avenue/Hamilton Avenue o People coming to Legends Golf Course have to drive through these unattractive areas o Public safety concern o Houses on nearby Terre Haute Street Forsythe Street to U.S. 31 West of downtown to U.S. 31 Knollwood Farms ATTRACTIVE The second part of the exercise asked people to indicate on a map the most attractive place in Franklin. Members of the steering committee again shared what locations they considered most attractive. Their answers are included below: Downtown o Historical o Immediate core area o Includes Province Park and Franklin College o Courthouse Square and North Main Street up to Madison Street Franklin College o Trail system that connects the college to South Main Street and Province Park Province Park Residential areas north/south of S.R. 44 on east side (Jefferson Meadows) Residential areas north of S.R. 44 close to elementary school that connects to Greenway trail High School 31 commerce drive City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting #4 Notes 4
FUTURE OPPORTUNITY AREAS Finally, steering committee members were asked to share what areas they consider to have the greatest potential as future opportunity areas. Their answers are included below: I-65 corridor o Areas east of city limits near interchange o Gateway project need to make the community more appealing from the interstate o East of interstate o Potential for commercial/industrial development to the east of I-65 o South of Graham Road on Commerce Pkwy is easy access to I-65 Downtown o Central core o Finish improvements already being made o South portion to U.S. 31 o Jefferson Street to U.S. 31 o South of Monroe Street along Young s Creek to south of U.S. 31 there are several infill possibilities Residential areas near high school o Absorb growth from Greenwood and Whiteland SUMMARY Many of the areas discussed are corridors into and through Franklin. Discussion included potential areas for new development and redevelopment/infill. What s Next Consultants will meet with city department heads to discuss priorities and goals for the comprehensive plan. Upcoming Meetings Public Meeting: March 25 @ 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers Steering Committee #5: April 8 @ noon at [Location TBA] City of Franklin Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting #4 Notes 5