The year 2034 population projections were produced through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission’s 2034 Economic Forecast. These numbers are produced using the REMI model developed by the University of Massachusetts to analyze trends in the Hampton Roads area, with adjustments to reflect trends in the specific localities. The population of Franklin is projected to increase 32%, from 8,582 in year 2010 to 11,300 people in year 2034, as shown in Figure 1-2. During the same period, the population of Southampton County is projected to increase 45%, from 18,570 to 26,900 people. In comparison, population growth for the entire Hampton Roads Region is estimated at 24%. Population Characteristics In 2010, Franklin’s gender mix was 45% male (3,821 persons) and 55% female (4,761 persons). Table 1-1 shows how Franklin’s gender mix compares to Southampton County and the State of Virginia. Franklin’s racial mix has varied since 2000. The population still remains predominantly black and white; however the black population slightly increased from 52% in 2000 to 57% in 2010 while the white population decreased from 46% to 39%. Additionally, the other race category, which includes but not limited to the Asian, Native American, & Latin American population, comprises only 4% of the population. Figure 1-3 compares Franklin’s racial demographics to Southampton County, Hampton Roads, and the State of Virginia. Maps 1-4 and 1-5 show Franklin’s 2010 population by race and Census block. The City of Franklin’s population is getting older. Table 1-2 portrays the age distribution of the city’s 2010 population. Over the forty-year period from 1970 to
The airport has two maintenance facilities, one corporate hangar, two eight plane T-hangars, one six plane T-hangar, and a new state of the art terminal building erected in 1999. In addition, efforts are currently underway to lease airport land for the construction of a new private maintenance hangar. The airport is used by corporate and general aviation aircraft. Marketing efforts to north-south traffic have significantly increased use of the Franklin Municipal Airport, increasing fuel sales and creating business for local restaurants and motels. (3) Waterways The Blackwater River Landing created by the City of Franklin in cooperation with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries provides the only public access to the river in the City of Franklin. The boat landing consists of two slot ramps, and provides 35 paved parking spaces with an additional 35 spaces on an overflow grass parking area. The boat landing now makes the City of Franklin accessible to small water craft and could provide passage to the Albemarle Sound. The boat landing serves as ideal location for fishing tournaments, educational opportunities, and is an enormous asset to the Downtown Franklin area. (4) Emergency Evacuation The Virginia Department of Emergency Management in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has established emergency evacuation routes in the event of a natural disaster for the Hampton Roads area. In the event that an evacuation is necessary, residents of the City of Franklin are encouraged to use Highway 58 and head in a westerly direction. Additionally, in an effort to leave the area, residents of portions of Isle of Wight and the City of Suffolk will also utilize Highway 58. Traffic control will be monitored by the Virginia State Police and employees of VDOT. (5) Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities The City of Franklin adopted the City of Franklin Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in 2009. The planning process included forming an advisory committee, assessing the existing sidewalks and roadways, reviewing local and regional plans and policies, soliciting public input, and developing policies, programs, and recommendations to implement bicycle and pedestrian facilities to link destinations in the city. As part of this process, the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) reviewed and updated the sidewalk inventory for the City of Franklin in VDOT’s Statewide Planning System database. Prior to adopting the 2009 City of Franklin Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in 2003 the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission assisted the City in the Franklin Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. This plan provides a
community in this area and future development and revitalization should address the importance of this principle. For example, the commercial area along South Street centered near the intersection with Pretlow Street provides neighborhood residents with shopping opportunities within walking distance and promotes independence for those without other means of transportation. In addition, the need for affordable housing of high quality must be a focus of any revitalization strategy within this South Street area. The sense of community resulting from making the neighborhood a defined and close-knit area will foster pride and responsibility for maintaining the quality of the homes there. Community Development Block Grant funding has and will continue to be utilized in Franklin. The Management Team associated with the Housing Needs Assessment identified additional deficient residential areas of the city requiring rehabilitation assistance after the deficiencies in the Cobbtown neighborhood have been addressed. Those neighborhoods include the Riverview-Meadowbrook area and the Banks-Cobb neighborhood. The City is currently seeking a Comprehensive Improvement Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in the Cobbtown neighborhood area as it was considered to have the highest needs. Future housing rehabilitation projects will be considered in these three neighborhoods as a matter of order. However, the planning commission should be consulted prior to planning grants being sought in these neighborhoods. The final Housing Needs Assessment document with mapping constitutes Appendix A to the Comprehensive Plan. I. New Residential Development The undeveloped areas in many parts of the City of Franklin present both opportunities and challenges for the future of the City. Agricultural and forestal areas in the northern and western reaches of Franklin may begin to feel the pressures of development in the coming years. How the City chooses to deal with opportunities for development will define the character of these areas. The application of Conservation Design principles, as set forth by Randall Arendt, would allow for the preservation of significant open space while still accommodating development needs. Conservation Design in the development of subdivisions involves less land consumption in that housing density is increased in one portion of a developable tract of land, leaving a significant portion of the total subdivision as permanently protected open space. Application of this technique in multiple subdivisions could allow for the creation of a connected network of open lands within these areas of Franklin. The Conservation Design process includes a site evaluation prior to subdivision to identify important natural features such as wetlands, rare and unique habitat areas and forested areas that should be protected during the development process. Other significant features such as historic areas and agricultural lands may also be identified for protection at this stage in the process.