Franklin Planning Commission unanimously approves Eagle's Landing primary plat; elects new officers

The Franklin Planning Commission voted unanimously on May 19 to approve PC26-3, the Eagle's Landing primary plat, subject to three staff conditions including proof of Johnson County Drainage Board approval before land-disturbance permits are issued.

The commission approved the plat — a proposed subdivision of about 51 acres into 16 residential lots and two commercial lots adjacent to the Legends Golf Course — after planning staff recommended approval with conditions requiring (1) Johnson County Drainage Board approval prior to issuance of a land-disturbance permit; (2) recording of off-site easements and providing copies to staff before land-disturbance permits; and (3) a utility easement along the west property line of commercial lot one.

"We are in complete agreement with those conditions," Roger, a presenter for the Eagle's Landing proposal, told the commission, adding that the applicants had already filed for county drainage review and were circulating an off-site easement. Fred Paris Rogers, one of the project representatives, said the team had worked closely with planning staff and expected to satisfy the conditions.

Joanna, a planning department staff member, read the staff recommendation and emphasized the three conditions that must be met before permit issuance. Commissioners raised no substantive objections during discussion and moved directly to a roll-call vote.

Votes at a glance
- PC26-3 (Eagle's Landing primary plat): motion to approve subject to staff conditions carried unanimously (7–0). Voting yes: Norm Gayart, Michael Spongberg, Suzanne Finley, John Kinsky, Irene Nally, Matt Mroy, Bill Carson.
- Election of officers: Bill Carson was elected president; Michael Spongberg was elected secretary by voice vote.

Applicants discussed timing after the approval. Roger said the team had initially targeted July–August to begin site work but might delay to fall to finalize drainage approvals, agreements and bidding because of high diesel prices that could affect construction costs.

Staff also told commissioners that a revised draft of the city's comprehensive plan, prepared by HWC Engineering and updated with staff revisions, is expected to be released to the public soon for review and will return to the commission for a formal recommendation, likely in July.

What happens next
The approval is conditioned on the three items listed by staff; applicants must provide the drainage board approval and recorded easements to planning staff before land-disturbance permits can be issued. With those items satisfied, the applicants indicated they expect to proceed to permitting and then to construction sequencing and bidding, timing subject to market conditions and final approvals.