Franklin County

The Planning Commission discussed several items, including the election of new members and the review of two special use permit applications: one for a short-term tourist rental of a dwelling and one for a private educational facility and STEM Education Center. The Commission also reviewed a zoning map amendment application for a car wash development. Furthermore, the meeting involved a detailed discussion on the next steps for the draft Zoning Ordinance, emphasizing a shift toward a more localized rewrite and the need for public engagement and a new project timeline.

The board discussed ongoing broadband infrastructure projects, specifically the Zitel project and the transition to the BEAD program. Representatives from the Department of Housing and Community Development and Zitel provided updates on construction progress, project management, and the implementation of a new public-facing progress hub for constituents to monitor high-speed internet deployment. The discussion included engineering, permitting status, and upcoming timelines for finalizing contracts to expand broadband access across the county.

The meeting included public hearings for special use permits concerning short-term tourist rentals and the establishment of a school. Additionally, the commission addressed an application for a zoning map amendment, discussed the next steps for a draft zoning ordinance, and held an open citizen comment session where various concerns regarding data centers, property rights, and proposed zoning ordinance changes were voiced.

The meeting included deliberation and approval of two applications for special use permits to allow for short-term tourist rentals of dwellings in the Agricultural District. Additionally, the Planning Commission held an extensive open comment session where citizens expressed concerns regarding the proposed zoning ordinance, specifically related to data center regulations, agricultural land usage, and the perceived restrictiveness of the new zoning draft. The Commission also held a work session to discuss potential adjustments to the draft zoning ordinance, including magisterial district boundaries, road frontage minimums, structure height standards, solar power utility regulations, and requirements for short-term rental management.

The board meeting focused on the election of the chair and vice chair of the authority. The discussion covered the approval of the meeting schedule for the upcoming year and a review of progress on fiber construction projects, including updates on construction milestones, partnerships for collocation at emergency management facilities, and the status of fiber crossing local bridges. The board also addressed concerns regarding infrastructure visibility and maintenance, emphasizing communication with constituents.