Franklin rejects rezoning request on South Liberty Pike after council voices transition concerns

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Jan. 13 to disapprove a rezoning request that would have changed 16.81 acres on South Liberty Pike (addresses 1211 and 1217 Liberty Pike) from General Office to Regional Commerce RC‑4, which would allow up to four stories.

Adam Kronk, engineer for property owner Ray Morris, told the board he has worked the site for 14 years and emphasized site constraints including a large TVA/Bridgestone Tennessee Electric easement that bisects the property and a required transitional buffer to adjacent residences. Kronk said those conditions make a true four‑story building impractical on much of the site and noted the planning recommendation favored RC‑4 for transition reasons; staff and several aldermen expressed concern that four stories on the south side of Liberty Pike would not provide adequate transition to residential areas.

An initial motion to approve failed and the board subsequently voted to disapprove the rezoning request unanimously. Members urged the applicant to work with staff on alternative zoning options or site solutions that could better reflect adjacent residential transition needs.

Outcome: Rezoning request disapproved; staff and applicant encouraged to explore alternatives (PUD, neighborhood commercial or other zoning approaches) and address transitional buffers.