Alternate attention-getting headline: Franklin Plan Commission Closes Franklin Library!
True, but only because the Public Hearing last night regarding developer Mark Carstensen’s proposed commercial development, Shops at Wyndham Village, went looong. Lots of interest in this project; I've had 100 hits here since the meeting ended twelve hours ago.
A large turnout was expected, so the meeting was slated for the municipal court chamber in the Franklin Law Enforcement Complex rather than the usual smaller room in city hall. Ironically, the Law Enforcement Complex’s notorious sea of parking spaces (it is utterly surrounded by asphalt) filled up for what had to be the first time ever. Surprise - - so many people packed the room (and the hallway outside) that the fire chief declared the room overcrowded.
Undaunted, Mayor Taylor determined that the community room at the library was available, and, after checking things with the city attorney, moved the entire assemblage over there - - still lots of people standing, but within code.
And, of course, nearly EVERYONE got in their cars to make the transfer because you can’t walk from the Franklin Police Station to the Franklin Library. [CORRECTION based on a comment left today: I should be more precise in saying that you CAN walk between the two places, but it's not a distance that the majority of people felt comfortable with in the evening. In a more perfect world, the city's "civic center" would be more centralized and you wouldn't have a single-use parking ocean for the police station).
The meeting got started 45 minutes after its scheduled time - - not too bad, considering Carstensen’s people had to re-assemble their presentation at a new venue, microphones had to be set up, etc.
Lots to report – about fifty-five citizens spoke, and the meeting went until midnight. Tune in tomorrow for details and a few surprises.
And, if the professor of engineering who spoke for himself and his wife happens upon this blog, please email me.
Given that the attendee's drove to the PD, it's natural to assume that they would move their car to the library. Contrary to your statement, I did note a fair number of people walking to the library. Also, there is a sidewalk on the north side of Forest Hill Avenue that connects to a sidewalk on the east side of Legend Drive that goes directly to the front door of the Franklin Public Library.
Posted by: Steve | November 01, 2006 at 01:04 PM
I saw an exodus of cars, all lined up to leave and "re-park" at the library. There may have been a few people who walked (I know I saw at least one guy nearly clipped by a passing car as he attempted to walk past a car parked on Loomis).
My main point was to note the mass movement of vehicles from one single-destination parking lot to another - - - in a more perfect world, the city's "civic center" would be more centralized and served by a single parking area.
The midnight walk to a vehicle parked back at the Law Enforcement Complex would have been a cold stroll indeed!
Posted by: John Michlig | November 01, 2006 at 02:17 PM