News Summary

FRANKLIN — The more than a yearlong saga over the site plan for a outdoor storage facility may be resolved.

Stanlee Rudd, who operates A&Z Storage on North Main Street, was granted a variance for the site plan of his business by the Board of Zoning Appeals Wednesday.

He agreed to use ground-up asphalt to cover lanes at his storage facility.

Rudd and the Franklin Planning Commission have gone back and forth over the site plan for more than a year. Commissioners wanted the lot to be paved, but Rudd said he couldn't afford it. He said the ground asphalt would be less expensive than paving the lanes.

Law Director Donnette Fisher said the zoning variance seems like a good solution for both parties.

"The (Board of Zoning Appeals) felt that paving the entire lot was not beneficial because it is in the flood plain," Fisher said. "If he paved the entire thing, the water would just run off twice as fast."

Rudd, who also fought with the city over landscaping and fencing at the property, said the solution will have to do.

"I've got to spend more money," he said. He will make a final appearance before the planning commission today , but the group does not have to approve the zoning variance, Fisher said.