Board approves variance to put loading area on side of 490 Downs Boulevard warehouse

The Franklin City Board of Zoning Appeals on May 1 approved a variance allowing a loading area to be located to the side of a proposed warehouse at 490 Downs Boulevard because staff concluded the lot’s shape prevents practical rear loading access for semi‑trailers.

Staff said the property is zoned Light Industrial District and is currently vacant; the applicant proposes a warehouse for excess inventory and requested the side loading area after engineering exhibits showed a rear loading dock would require an impractically shaped building. "Staff recommends that the board of zoning appeals move to approve the variance request to allow a loading area to be located to the side of the building for the property located at 490 Downs Boulevard because the criteria for granting a variance have been met," staff said in their presentation.

The applicant, CJ Murrow of 615 Design Group, told the board the site's narrow width and shallow depth, plus an access easement that crosses the north side of Downs Boulevard parcels, make rear semi‑trailer access infeasible. Murrow said the design includes screening on the east side — either an opaque fence or evergreen shrubs — and that a turning template in the packet shows angled side loading that a semi can use.

Neighbors who live north of the site spoke during public comment. Nick Paschal White said his neighbors worry about truck noise and runoff and suggested placing the loading dock farther from houses; he also raised a security concern because the facility will be unmanned. A second neighbor said the property currently drains through a culvert adjacent to his lot and expressed concern that moving the building rearward or adding impervious surface could increase flooding. Staff and the applicant replied that the site plan stage will require stormwater calculations and that planned on‑site stormwater treatment will use infiltration and likely underground detention; the applicant and staff said existing culverts and pipes will be used or adjusted as needed.

Board members voted 4–1 to approve the variance (Board member Beams: yes; Board member Scales: yes; Board member Langley: yes; Board member Flushauer: no; Board member Smith: yes). Staff noted the applicant intends to replat and revise setbacks to match the proposed design and that site‑plan engineering review (including stormwater calculations) will be required before permits are issued.

The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the side loading configuration subject to standard site‑plan and permit reviews, including stormwater and right‑of‑way/plat adjustments.