July 7, 2009

The meeting of the Planning Commission of Franklin Township, held in the Township 
office, was called to order at 1900 hours.  Present were Dwight Miller, Dennis Howard, 
Hugh Crandall and David Knight.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
No visitors were present.

MINUTES
Crandall moved to accept the minutes of 5/5/09 as presented.  Howard seconded.  
Carried.  There was no meeting in June.

OLD BUSINESS
Zoning Ordinance Rewrite – it was reported that the consultant has been in contact 
with Erie County Planning who will produce the zoning maps for the new ordinance.

NEW BUSINESS
Joint Planning Commission Future Land Use Map – the map was reviewed.  
Discussion was held on the low density residential designation (with sewer) for properties 
on both sides of Crane Road from Fry to 1-79 and on properties left as agriculture 1 
along the west side of Fry Road south of the low density residential classification to the I-
1 zone.  It was noted that if sewer lines go along a road that area must be classified as 
low density residential.

Howard – the section left as A-1 make be a buffer between the I-1 and R-1 zones.

Howard – we need to discuss future land use from the County and the Natural Heritage 
Inventory’s viewpoint.  The Falls Run area is going to be designated a natural heritage 
area.  The County hopes that each municipality takes into consideration all of the areas 
so designated throughout the County whenever zoning is considered.  Areas with the 
natural heritage designation are to be left pristine and not developed.  The industrial 
zoning on Francis is in the natural heritage area of Falls Run.  There are four homes built 
within the I-1 zoning along with the Russell Standard site.  I’m not comfortable with it 
being zoned I-1.  What if we designated the Russell Standard site as a conditional use for 
industrial?  There is no water on the site for any industry.  Could we change the land back 
to A-1?

Crandall – we wouldn’t want a law suit from Russell Standard.

Howard – drop the I-1 designation for all the parcels except the Russell Standard parcel.

Miller and Knight said that they could support that idea.

Knight moved to approve the Joint Planning Commission Future Land Use Map as 
presented with consideration of a zoning change from I-1 back to A-1 for the properties 
along Francis Road and Mohawk Road currently zoning I-1 leaving only the Russell 
Standard parcel (7760 Francis Road) designated as I-1.  Howard seconded.  Carried.

ADJOURN
With no other business, Howard moved to adjourn, Miller seconded.  Meeting adjourned 
at 2003 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary