Planning commission forwards Innovation Park PUD to city council after narrowing permitted uses

The Franklin City Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward PUD application PC 25-33 — the Innovation Park at Franklin College (2025) — to the Franklin City Council with a favorable recommendation.

Joanna, a city staff member, told the commission the only change to the developer’s PUD since the last meeting was removal of data processing centers as a permitted use, explaining, “They did update their PUD to remove data processing centers as permitted uses.” That change was made to align with the city’s definition, Joanna said, so typical unmanned data centers known today would not be permitted under the ordinance’s original wording.

The commission made a motion to approve PC 25-33 as submitted; Commissioner John Kemski moved the motion and Michelle Stringer seconded it. A roll-call vote produced an 8-0 favorable recommendation. During roll call, staff read the names and each vote as affirmative.

Staff outlined the next steps following the commission’s recommendation. Joanna corrected an earlier misspeak and confirmed the ordinance will be introduced at city council on April 6; staff said the council’s public hearing and potential official action on the item are scheduled for April 20.

The vote sends the PUD to the city council, where members of the public will have another opportunity to comment during the council’s public hearing. The commission took no additional public hearing or presentation at this meeting and moved on to other business.