The proposed skate park was again the topic of discussion during the public session of the Franklin Town Council meeting held Aug. 2.
Tim Shaw and Olga Lampkin spoke in favor of the park. Shaw gave an update on the efforts of local residents to support the construction of a skate park. The SK828 group has participated in community events and created a Facebook page to raise awareness. They have contacted local businesses and the Macon County Board of Commissioners who have said they would support the park. Shaw said they have raised more than $3,000 for the project, but they would appreciate more community involvement with fundraising projects. “To get started we need a design blueprint,” he said. The design plan could cost $10,000 or more.
At the July Town Council meeting, the council voted to move forward with preliminary plans to build a skate park at Memorial (Jaycees) Park on West Main Street. The second option was the old drive-in property on Phillips Street, which is owned by the county.
Sarah Johnson raised several environmental concerns related to building the park at the Memorial Park, such as the loss of greenspace, damage caused by runoff, the impact to the creek and the fish. Johnson said she is supportive of Franklin getting a public skate park but asked that the council consider those concerns when selecting the site.
Christmas Parade
Vice Mayor Jack Horton had requested that a discussion about the Christmas parade be added to the agenda. The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce recently notified the town that it was looking for someone else to organize the parade. The Streets of Franklin Heritage Association initially said it would take on the task, but upon further discussion decided it could not afford the cost of liability insurance, overtime pay for officers, and there was a concern about getting enough volunteers.
Horton made a motion to move $1,200 from the fund balance to pay for the needed security during the event. The motion was unanimously approved. Council Member Joe Collins said it would be a good idea for the town to consider forming an auxiliary group that could help with other such events during the year. The Chamber will coordinate the parade this year but needs more volunteers to help. Anyone interested in volunteering, can contact the Chamber at 524-3161.
Rezoning and Annexation
Hendon Tiller Properties, the company developing the Chick-fil-A site, has requested that the 4.5-acre parcel adjacent to the property be rezoned from R-1 (residential) to C-2 (retail). Duke Energy owns the property. Interim Town Manager/Town Planner Justin Setser said no final plans have been submitted for use of the property.
The council voted to forward the rezoning request to the Town Planning Board. The Planning Board meets the third Monday of the month at 4 p.m.
The town will hold a public hearing concerning the annexation of the three parcels owned by Hendon Tiller Properties and Duke Energy at the corner of Siler Road and Dowdle Mountain Road. The public hearing will be at 6:05 p.m. Sept. 7 at Town Hall.
In other business, the council:
• Approved the acceptance of a $8,889,000 loan from the N.C. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to support the construction of Phase 2 of the Water Treatment Plant. According to the loan agreement, 25% of the loan will be forgiven, up to a maximum of $500,000, and the remainder will be repayable at a maximum rate of 0.13%. The council also approved a Capital Project Ordinance for the water treatment plant improvements.
• Approved a resolution to receive an estimated $1,308,253 in American Rescue Act Funds.
• Approved an agreement to install a Duke Energy EV Fast Charging Station. Interim Town Manager Justin Setser said the Town had applied to participate in Duke’s Park & Plug program in March. The lower parking lot at Town Hall is the proposed site for the charging station.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved:
• The re-appointment of Matt Holland for a two-year term on the Tourism Development Authority.
• The re-appointment of Peter Mosco and James Smith for three-year terms on the Board of Adjustment and Planning Board.
• A street closing request from the Nikwasi Initiative to close Nikwasi Lane on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the National Trail of Tears Conference field trip.
At the conclusion of the public portion of the meeting, the council entered a closed session; no action was taken.
The next Town Council meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. This is a change in meeting dates due to the Labor Day holiday on Sept. 6. Town Hall offices will be closed on Labor Day.