Franklin Today

Yesterday was the first meeting of the MAHDPRC

I was in attendance last night for the Mayoral Ad-Hoc Development Process Review Committee meeting, which lasted 2 hours on the dot (thank goodness for Plan Commission meetings at 7pm!). The first meeting covered several issues, but was dominated by the concerns of hometown developer Mark Carstensen. Carstensen's frustration about the development process in Franklin led up to a point where he mentioned that our community is referred to, at times, the "People's Republic of Franklin" due to our complications and strictness.

Residents push for sound barrier on Hwy 100

Several weeks ago it was brought up by residents living near the Hwy 100 & Drexel intersection that the additional traffic noise was becoming a nuisance. To that effect, they encouraged the City of Franklin to look at ways to mitigate this problem, including a possible installation of a sound barrier from Friar Lane to Drexel. The council recommended the Board of Public Works to look at the information and to make to provide a recommendation back to council.

As our senior population continues to grow, are we ready for them?

Last night, United Financial Group came before the Environmental Commission to request a special exception to fill in a small portion of wetland for two proposed apartment complexes for senior citizens. Forest Hill Highlands, as the entire project is called, is expanding in Franklin with these two new structures. There are already four structures that are part of this complex, and there could be almost a half-dozen more once the expansions are complete.

FPS thinks out of the box, helps local businesses

In FHS Principal Mike Cady's Podcast I reposted yesterday, he mentioned a new incentive for seniors - if you get good grades, good attendance, and are in good behavior, you have what he coins as a "free period". During this period, which is of the seniors' choosing, they may do whatever they feel like doing, including leaving the FHS campus. The period last 86 minutes, and would only be available every other day for seniors, but that still has an impact here in Franklin.

Common Council President calls for new committee on handling of developments

Tomorrow night's agenda includes the following letter from Common Council President (CCP) Steve Taylor, who represents the 4th Aldermanic District:

The #1 Issue: The Great Recession hits Franklin

It doesn’t come to any surprise that the Great Recession would be the #1 Issue that was faced in 2009. There were many setbacks that residents faced during the past year, and everyone felt the pinch. The City of Franklin was impacted in the following areas:

Wyndham Village & Legend Creek updates

Interesting news out of the Shoppes at Wyndham Village and the proposed location for the Shoppes at Legend Creek. MidAmerica Real Estate, which is the broker for both sites, has updated their information. Here's the scoop:

Good news emerging at Wyndham Village

It looks like the information presented several months ago on MidAmerica Real Estate's flyer promoting the Shoppes at Wyndham Village is coming to life.

What are your neighbors talking about? (Coffee Shop Edition)

This week's edition focuses on the recent discussion by bloggers and residents alike regarding the lack of a coffee shop outside of the 27th Street Corridor. While Moondance Coffee does the job for those living on the eastern half of Franklin, the western half doesn't have much in terms of a community coffee shop/gathering place. Furthermore, some residents don't even know that Moondance exists, which isn't good at all!

I received several e-mails talking about the lack of a coffee shop in Franklin. Here was one that I felt hit the points home:

Just out of curiosity...

Has anyone ever ate/drank at/from the Pizza Hut/Starbucks/Archer Foods section in the Wyndham Village Target? It's a shame that due to the positions of the fast food/drink shops with the tables, many seem to simply walk past it!

I've recently got hooked on the Coca-Cola ICEE drinks they have there. For $1.75 you get a large-sized cup with a nice lid on it. It's a low-cost alternative to spending a couple of bucks for a float someplace else, that's for sure!

Whenever I go to shop & pick up an ICEE drink, I've always noticed their tables empty. Target actually doesn't have necessarily a bad seating arrangement, but they don't really promote it that well. The windows make it open and similar to what is seen at a local Starbucks, minus the sofas and lounge chairs. Perhaps WI-FI in that section would encourage more to utilize it...