Franklin County Fiscal Court approves rezoning ordinance on second reading, 5-2

Franklin County Fiscal Court approved second reading of Ordinance #8-2025 on Aug. 27, 2025, changing zoning designations for portions of three parcels totaling approximately 174.696 acres along U.S. 127 South and at Keaton Lane. The motion to approve the ordinance was made by Squire J.W. Blackburn and seconded by Squire Mike Harrod; the court voted 5–2 in favor, with Squires Sherry Sebastian and Eric Whisman voting no.

The ordinance covers a 47-acre portion at 5700–5930 U.S. 127 South (Parcel #053-00-00-004.00), a 70-acre portion at 6238 U.S. 127 South (Parcel #053-00-00-007.00), and a 57.696-acre portion at 2024 Keaton Lane (Parcel #053-00-00-008.00). The meeting minutes record the second reading and the roll-call votes but do not include a verbal record of the substance of the objections by the two opposing Squires.

Judge Michael Mueller presided over the session. According to the court record, the ordinance amendment was presented for a second reading and a vote at this meeting; no additional public-comment record for the zoning changes appears in the minutes for this meeting. The matter was approved and will proceed under the county’s ordinance-adoption procedures.

The court’s next procedural step for an ordinance given a successful second reading is typically adoption and any administrative filings required by county code; the minutes do not specify a final adoption timeline for this ordinance. The record of the Aug. 27 vote is the latest formal action on Ordinance #8-2025.

Votes and procedural record: the motion was moved by Squire J.W. Blackburn and seconded by Squire Mike Harrod; yes votes were Squires Blackburn, Kelly Dycus, Mike Harrod, Richard Tanner, and Judge Michael Mueller; no votes were Squires Sherry Sebastian and Eric Whisman.