The Franklin Municipal Planning Commission recommended annexation and Civic Institutional (CI) zoning for 10.58 acres at 1288 Lewisburg Pike, the Gateway Church campus, forwarding the recommendations to the board of mayor and aldermen.

City staff said the property is noncontiguous to city limits but lies within Franklin’s urban growth boundary; staff reported no immediate infrastructure barriers to annexation, and said water would be provided by Millcroft (referred to as HB and TS in the presentation). Staff noted the applicant would be responsible for establishing an easement across neighboring property at their expense to connect sanitary sewer service.

Gateway Church founding pastor Charlie Weir and a nearby property owner spoke in support. Pastor Weir said the church has owned the property since 2009 and that about three acres of the campus are occupied by a septic system; annexation would allow the congregation to access the rear green space and reduce reliance on septic. An adjacent property owner, Gordon Eder, testified in favor but noted concerns about sanitary sewer access and stormwater management.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the plan of services, annexation resolution and CI zoning ordinance to the board by roll call. The actions change the city’s recommendation and do not by themselves authorize construction; any future development would require permits and technical reviews.