FRANKLIN, Ind. – A new hotel in Franklin has homeowners in the area worried about their property values.
Local developers Rob and Amy Richardson proposed to build an 80-room Marriott hotel on Franklin’s east side, in the coming months.
Dave Dowden said when he built his home more than a decade ago on the city’s east side, he knew his next-door neighbor could be a doctor’s office or restaurant as the area is a commercial zone. He said he didn’t expect a four-story hotel.
“I personally will not stop until this is stopped,” said Dowden. “It’s a multi colored, 55-foot monstrosity as me and other neighbors are calling it. "
Amy said the development process has been long, and their team has been hearing neighbors’ opinions for a while.
“This has been a process so all along we've kind of seen and heard what people are thinking, but at some point, you kind of need to weigh the needs of 23,000 versus a few,” she said.
Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett has supported the project and said the city needs hotel space to attract more businesses and visitors.
"We want to make sure that the economic development of Franklin moves on, but that everybody can win and we can make it work," said Amy.
Neighbors like Dowden said their biggest concerns are privacy and property values.
Plans laid out by developers estimate the building will be 53 feet tall at the roof line, which is about 5 feet taller than the local ordinance allows.
Due to the height violation, developers will need to ask the zoning board for special permission to begin construction.
Dowden said he plans to be in attendance at the August 2 meeting to share his side of the story.
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