Franklin, NC Planning Department

Justin Setser, Town Planner
(828) 524-2516 ext. 311 or jsetser@franklinnc.com

Frank Belanger, Code Enforcement Officer
(828) 524-2516 ext. 308 or fbelanger@franklinnc.com

franklin nc planning department

Town PlannerJustin Setser, CZO

Welcome to the Town of Franklin's Planning Department.

Justin Setser is a native of Macon County. Upon graduation from Franklin High School Justin attended Haywood Community College, receiving an Associates Degree in GIS/GPS Technology in 2006. Justin was the former GIS Analyst for Macon County. Justin is a Franklin Fire Department Captain and served on the Town Planning Board and Board of Adjustment prior to his appointment as Town Planner. Justin is a North Carolina Certified Zoning Official (CZO). Justin is a 2018 graduate of the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) and has complete the County and Municipal Administration course at the UNC School of Government. Justin is proud to be an Eagle Scout.

 

justin setser planning department franklin nc

Planning DepartmentWhat We Do

The Town of Franklin Planner / Land Use Administrator is responsible for the over site and enforcement of the Town of Franklin Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Sign Ordinance, Flood Ordinance, Abandoned Car Ordinance, Nuisance Ordinance, Minimum Housing Ordinance and Wireless Telecommunication Ordinance.

The Town Planner also serves as the IT Director for the Town of Franklin.

town of franklin nc ordinances

OrdinancesView Town of Franklin Ordinances

» Online Code of Ordinances


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Frank Belanger, CZOCode Enforcement Officer

Frank Belanger has been a resident of Franklin since 2012 moving to the area with his wife and young daughter. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 14 years and retired from the United States Army following another 10 years of service to our country.

Mr. Belanger began his new position with the Town of Franklin in August 2022. Frank earned his certification as a North Carolina Certified Zoning Official (CZO) in November 2023.

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What we doCode Enforcement Officer

The Town of Franklin Code Enforcement Officer makes sure residents and businesses follow proper laws and ordinances. Duties include applying and enforcing the code of ordinances for the Town of Franklin, performing inspections to ensure compliance with the code of ordinances, and checking for violations following complaints. The code enforcement officer takes appropriate enforcement action when violations and / or fines have not been resolved by the offender

town of franklin nc ordinances

More Permits, FOrms and Applications

» Minimum Housing Complaint Form (PDF)

» Sign Permits (PDF)

» Special Event Banner Application (PDF)




Town of Franklin Planning Board Meeting
March 18, 2024 • 4:00 pm

AGENDA

1. Approval or changes to agenda.

2. Approval of February 19, 2024 meeting minutes.

3. New Business
A. Review of Conditional Rezoning Permit for Abbington Mills 48-unit Affordable Housing Complex.
B. Review of Macon County Rezoning request for Franklin High School NMU to R-2.
C. Review Text Amendment for changes to Special Use language and other areas in the UDO.

4. Next Planning Board meeting Monday April 15, 2024.

5. Adjourn or set continuation of the meeting.

Adopted Whitmire Property Master Plan

 

View / Download Whitmire Property Master Plan (PDF) »

View / Download Whitmire Property Final Concept Drawing »

The Whitmire Property Master Plan provides the framework for guiding Franklin’s efforts to develop this historic location into a great park for the residents and visitors of Franklin. The proximity to downtown Franklin, the Little Tennessee River Greenway, and Wesley’s Park will provide park users access to all that the Town has to offer. The master plan included a careful study of the site, the surrounding area, and its history.

The planning phase also included a robust public input process. Public input was an important factor in developing plan recommendations. Community input was solicited throughout the entire planning process as was information from local leaders and Town staff. Public meetings and a recreation survey were used to gather essential information that aided in the planning process. The contributions and materials received from community participants were essential for producing a master plan that will benefit the community for generations to come.

The master plan analyzed the information gathered for the conceptual development of the Whitmire Property. Final recommendations and conceptual designs, which were drawn from these collaborative efforts, will be discussed further in this document in detail. It is intended to develop the type of location that fosters community spirit and bonding between local citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions


Q. Is my residence or business located within the jurisdiction of the Town of Franklin?

A. This map (click here for PDF) shows the jurisdiction the Town of Franklin has in Macon County. If you live or own property in the two colored areas on the map then direct your development and ordinance questions to the town offices. Just as a note, just because you have a Franklin address that doesn’t necessarily mean the property in question is located in the Town city limits or Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

Q. Who do I call if I have questions regarding the Planning Board?

A. You may call the Town of Franklin and ask for Justin Sester, Town Planner. Contact Justin Setser 828- 524-2516 ext. 311 jsetser@franklinnc.com.

Town of Franklin CIP Final


View the Final Town of Franklin Sidewalk Capital Improvement Plan & Condition Survey. Click here for a PDF Document. Please note this is a large file (12 mb). Depending on your connection speed, may take sometime to load.

Town Planning Board/Board of Adjustment Vacancies


The Town of Franklin is currently seeking to fill three vacancies on the Town Planning Board/Board of Adjustment. Seats open are: one in-town resident seat, one in-town Alternate resident seat and an ETJ resident seat. Download an application below in PDF format.

» Application for Appointment to Boards & Authorities (PDF)

The Board of Adjustment meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 4:00 p.m. and the Planning Board meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 4:00 p.m. The meetings are held in the Town Hall Board Room. A time commitment of approximately 2 hours a month is necessary. A resume and current address is required. For more information or to express an interest in serving on the board, please contact Town Planner, Justin Setser at (828) 524-2516.

Schedule of Fees for Zoning & Signs


If work is commenced before obtaining the proper permits the permit fee doubles.
Square Foot Area is gross area of building or sign, no exclusions.
Applicants are responsible for all advertising and administrative costs.

DESCRIPTION FEE
Annexation - Satellite $500.00
Sign Permits $40.00 + 25 cents per square foot
   
LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
Single Family Detached + Additions $50.00
Accessory Building on SF Lot up to 12' x 12' $20.00
Multi-Family (per unit) $25.00
Apartment Buildings (per apartment) $15.00
Commercial C-1 Downtown $75.00
Commercial C-2 Other Area $100.00
Commercial C-3 Highway $150.00
Industrial $200.00
NMU, IND, & MICR per commercial unit $75.00
Zoning Compliance Letter $25.00
   
SITE PLAN REVIEW & DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
Preliminary $100.00
Final $100.00
   
SUBDIVISIONS
Minor - Residential 2 Lots $100.00
Major - Residential 3 to 25 Lots $250.00
Major - Residential 26+ Lots $250.00 + $15 per lot >25
Commerical / Industrial $300.00
   
AMENDMENT TEXT
  $75.00
APPEALS
  $25.00
   
REZONING TO:
R-1 to R-2 $50.00
NMU, TND, MICR, PUD, & UV $150.00
C-1, C-2, C-3 or I-1 $200.00
Special Use Permit $500.00
Variance $300.00
Conditional Zoning $500.00
   
FLOOD PERMIT
  $50.00
COPIES
  5 cents each
LARGE MAPS 36" x 36"
  $10.00
ZONING VIOLATION (PER DAY)
  $500.00
SIGN VIOLATIONS (PER DAY)
  $50.00
WIRELESS TEL COMM SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION
  $5,000.00
WIRELESS TEL COMM ELIGIBLE FACILITY
  $1,000.00
   

 

Planning Board & Board of Adjustment Members

The Planning Board is an advisory board to the Town of Franklin, NC Franklin NC Town Council. The planning board reviews rezoning requests, text amendments and special use permits that require planning board comments.

The Board of Adjustment preforms quasi-judicial hearings for variance and appeal requests for Town of Franklin ordinances.

MEMBERSHIP: Seven total members; five (5) Town (T), and two (2) ETJ (E), plus one (1) alternate each.
» Download Town of Franklin Planning Board / Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure (PDF Format)

Name Term Expires Area Represented
Janet J. Greene, Chair April 4, 2025 ETJ
Dr. Tom Harris, Vice-Chairman April 4, 2025 Town
Denton Higdon February 6, 2026 Town
Dave Jones February 6, 2026 ETJ
Susie Ledford February 6, 2026 Town
Kim Leister November 7, 2026 Town
Peter Mosco August 2, 2024 Town
Debbie Tallent May 2, 2025 ETJ
Town Alternate   Vacant
ETJ Alternate   Vacant

Planning Board Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings of the Town of Franklin Planning Board are held the 3rd Monday of each month (with the exception of holidays) beginning at 4:00 pm in the Town Hall Boardroom at 95 East Main Street in Franklin, NC. For information call 828-524-2516. While meetings are scheduled on a regular basis, they will be cancelled if there is no business to bring before this board.

The following is a list of the regularly scheduled Planning Board meetings for 2021-2022. If you have any questions, please call Justin Setser at 828-524-2516.

January 16, 2024 (Tuesday)
February 19, 2024
March 18, 2024
April 15, 2024
May 20, 2024
June 17, 2024
July 15, 2024
August 19, 2024
September 16, 2024
October 21, 2024
November 18, 2024
December 16, 2024

 

Board of Adjustment Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings of the Town of Franklin Board of Adjustment are held the 2nd Monday of each month (with the exception of holidays) beginning at 4:00 pm in the Town Hall Boardroom at 95 East Main Street in Franklin, NC. For information call 828-524-2516. Please note meetings will be cancelled if there is no business to bring before this board.

January 8, 2024
February 12, 2024
March 11, 2024
April 8, 2024
May 13, 2024
June 10, 2024
July 8, 2024
August 12, 2024
September 9, 2024
October 14, 2024
November 12, 2024 (Tuesday)
December 9, 2024