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
Town PlannerJustin Setser
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.
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.
PoliciesDownload Town of Franklin Policies
» Voluntary Annexation Policy (PDF)
» Grease Trap Policy (PDF)
OTHER Policies
» NCDOT Policy on Street & Driveway Access to North Carolina Highways (Link/PDF)
Forms, Permits & ApplicationsDownload in PDF Format
» Application to Amend UDO Text (PDF)
» Petition for Rezoning (PDF)
» Petition for Annexation (PDF)
» Annexation Notary Page (PDF)
» Land Development Permit (PDF)
» Flood Development Permit (PDF)
» Minimum Housing Complaint Form (PDF)
» Sign Permit Application (PDF)
» Special Event Banner Application (PDF)
» Special Use Permit Application (PDF)
» Street Light Request Form (PDF)
» Wireless Telecommunication Application (PDF)
» Variance Application (PDF)
» Application for Appeal (PDF)
Other DownloadsAdditional Documents, Etc.
» New ! Feasibility Study of former Angel Medical Center building (PDF - 237MB)
» New! Franklin Town Limits & ETJ (PDF)
» New! 2023 Zoning Map (PDF)
» Comprehensive Land Use Plan (PDF)
» Principles of Growth (PDF)
» Franklin Parking Study (PDF)
» Downtown Master Plan (PDF)
» BikeWalk Franklin (PDF)
» Whitmire Property Study (PDF)
» Franklin Sidewalk Capital Improvement Plan (PDF)
Frank BelangerCode 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.
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
Planning Board Meeting
Town of Franklin Planning Board Meeting
May 15, 2023
4:00 pm
AGENDA
1. Approval or changes to agenda.
2. Approval of Apirl 17, 2023 meeting minutes.
3. New Business
A. Review of PZC5 Rezoning Map amendment (Panther DR)
Public Comment
B. Review of PZC6 Rezoning Map amendment (Old Murphy RD)
Public Comment
4. Next Planning Board meeting MondayJune 19, 2023.
5. Adjourn or set continuation of the meeting.
Proposed New Zoning
The Planning Board will continue to review proposed new zoning around Franklin. Next Monday, April 17th at 4pm in the Town Hall Boardroom they will be reviewing the following areas. All of Town Mountain, Randolph Street, Watuaga Street, First Street, Third Street, Rolling Hills, Sloan Street and Sanwood Drive.
All of these changes are to make the current zoning reflect the majority of the current nature and character of the neighborhoods. Anyone is welcome to come and speak at the meeting. Or call staff with any questions.
You can view the proposed changes by viewing or downloading the PDF files below.
» PZC3 Zoning (PDF)
» PZC3 Proposed (PDF)
» PZC4 Zoning (PDF)
» PZC4 Proposed (PDF)
Town of Franklin Whitmire Property Public Input
The Town of Franklin invites you to share your opinions for recreation improvements at the Whitmire Property.
Drop-in public meetings will be held on February 23, 2023 at the following locations:
Community Building (441 South) - 9am to 11am
Downtown Franklin at Town Hall - 12pm to 2pm
Macon County Public Library - 3pm to 5:30pm
Your input will help the Town plan future improvements and programming as well as seek assistance with funding opportunities such as the NC Parks & Recreation Trust Fund Grant.
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 one vacancy on the Town Planning Board/Board of Adjustment. The Town is looking for an alternate ETJ resident to serve as a representative on this board that serves on both the Planning board and the Board of Adjustment. 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 |
| 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 |
| Susie Ledford | February 6, 2026 | Town |
| Peter Mosco | August 2, 2024 | Town |
| Dave Jones | February 6, 2026 | ETJ |
| Andrew Raby | April 4, 2025 | Town |
| James Smith | May 5, 2025 | Town Alt |
| Debbie Tallent | August 2, 2024 | Town Alt |
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 17, 2023 (Tuesday)
February 20, 2023
March 20, 2023
April 17, 2023
May 15, 2023
June 19, 2023
July 17, 2023
August 21, 2023
September 18, 2023
October 16, 2023
November 20, 2023
December 18, 2023
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 10, 2023
February 13, 2023
March 13, 2023
April 10, 2023
May 8, 2023
June 12, 2023
July 10, 2023
August 14, 2023
September 11, 2023
October 9, 2023
November 13, 2023
December 11, 2023