Franklin County Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance Work Session 11/04/26

The Franklin County Planning Commission’s zoning ordinance work session on November 4, 2026, focused on proposed Article 3 provisions for applications, site plans, fees, proffers, and special use permits. Commissioners discussed clarifying that applications go through planning staff, consolidating application requirements, and verifying statutory language and procedures for withdrawing applications. The county’s planning and zoning fee schedule is already in the county code and changes require Board of Supervisors approval after a public hearing. Commissioners also asked staff to review whether the 10,000-square-foot threshold for major site plans can be adjusted without conflicting with state erosion-control requirements. No contracts, vendor selections, procurement awards, or spending decisions were identified, and no formal vote was recorded on these Article 3 matters.

The commission discussed whether to prioritize amendments addressing data centers in the current zoning ordinance alongside the proposed new ordinance. Members agreed to continue work on Article 3 and revisit the data-center schedule and approach at the next meeting, with a possible discussion with the Board of Supervisors. Staff follow-ups include checking state requirements on proffer language and application withdrawals, reviewing site-plan thresholds with the county’s erosion and sediment control staff, and preparing information to support the data-center discussion. A public commenter raised concerns about the two-year inactivity period for special use permits; the issue remained under discussion, including how the limit would be enforced and whether exceptions or changes are warranted.