Planning and Zoning

This division manages the City land-use ordinances, policies, and procedures governing all developments within the City and it's growth areas; manages the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan and the Annual Capital Improvement Plan for the City; provides professional services and advice to the Franklin City Mayor, City Council, and all the various commissions, committees, and other City divisions involved in growth management.

This division receives subdivision plats and plans of development applications, drawings and specifications that are submitted for review then distributes these items to other divisions for review; collects final approvals from other divisions; responds to public inquiries, processes all property activity and complaints; performs field inspections and analyses; makes recommendations; and issues violation notices when necessary; Administers several grant programs such as the CDBG Program through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Hazard Mitigation Grants through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and FEMA, the HOME Program as a member of the Western Tidewater Home Consortium and Litter Control Grant funded through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

In addition to these professional services, responsibilities include information management of several committees, updating several sets of maps, and maintaining permanent records for all property activity. Special emphasis is on long-term Comprehensive Planning (25 years) land use and transportation planning.

News and Annoucements:

The season is upon us again!  The weather is nice, the flowers and trees are blossoming and grass is growing.  It becomes a busy time of the year for us all.

Please be aware of the growth of grass this time of year.  We hope to avoid citing for grass violations, which can result in a minimum cost of $160 for city cutting.  The intent is to increase voluntary compliance for high grass maintenance so other property maintenance issues, which also have an impact on improving the overall of our community, can be addressed.

 Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Community Development Department at (757) 562-8682.