10/08/2026
Neighborly News
Franklin’s largest-ever housing plan moves forward...
Whether viewed as a transformative opportunity or a project of unprecedented scale, the Franklin City Council is moving forward with the initial stages of what could become the largest residential development in the city’s history: a nearly 1,200-unit planned urban development featuring housing options ranging from apartments to million-dollar homes.
The proposed DeHart Valley development would occupy 294.45 acres of undeveloped land bordered by West Lower Springboro Road to the north, Beal Road to the south and Gorsuch Road to the east.
The proposal from HPA Development Group and Fischer Homes calls for apartments and townhouses, patio homes, and single-family houses priced starting at the low to mid $200,000 range. In addition, the developers propose bike trails, park space and preservation of natural features such as wooded areas and streams.
Graham Parlin, vice president of HPA, said the development would be “transformative” for Franklin, rivaling developments seen in Mason, Springboro and some of Warren County’s most sought-after communities.
He said the city’s location between Dayton and Cincinnati will help drive demand for the properties.
“The location is A-plus,” Parlin said. “This is the growth corridor. And what’s happening downtown with development.”
But some residents say it’s too much too fast for a city of just under 12,000 people that has struggled to secure funding for its school system and is concerned about what an estimated 20% to 30% increase in population would do to services and infrastructure.
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 80 people — many who live on Beal and Gorsuch roads — packed the Franklin City Council meeting room Monday, Oct. 5, for a public hearing about DeHart Valley, voicing concerns about traffic, property value impact, the destruction of the city’s rural flavor and environmental issues that could potentially arise from such a large project.
As proposed, DeHart Valley would be more than six times larger than the under-construction Shaker Farms subdivision, which will encompass about 280 homes on 110 acres.
“I’m not against progress; I’m against what’s happening here,” said Beal Road resident Gary Matthews. “It’s not what, but how much.”
Among those speaking against the development Monday was Franklin School Board member Robyn Donisi, who said the school system was years away from having a new building to accommodate what the number of children a development the size of DeHart Valley would bring.
“We do not have the facilities to support the type of growth we are anticipating,” Donisi said. She clarified that she was not speaking on behalf of the school board, but as a Franklin resident with knowledge of the situation.
DeHart Valley will require traffic impact, environmental and other studies before any dirt is turned.
Development could be complicated by a septage and grease trap waste treatment facility once operated on part of the land, possibly leading to contamination that would require clean-up prior to any construction.
HPA has a contract to purchase the land contingent on its ability to be developed.
The city council voted unanimously to approve the preliminary development plan, opening the door for traffic and environmental studies.
City Manager Jonathan Westendorf said it will likely take two years to complete all the studies and he anticipates numerous changes to the project before final development approval. He said what city council is voting on is whether this is the type of development Franklin wants to see, and whether it’s worthwhile conducting the studies.
Parlin said that should the studies and approvals turn out favorable for development, it will likley take eight to 10 years for a full buildout.
“The reality is this project may fall apart in the next couple of years,” Westendorf said.
Article link:
https://www.journal-news.com/local/franklin-s-largest-ever-housing-plan-moves-forward-despite-resident-concerns/article_e47cec8b-6261-5e2e-914c-1c5111e58d6f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawU04JBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mA2JyaWQRMVM2UDBMZkZxWmtrWE5KSjFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81MTQ3NzE1NjkyMjgwNjEAAR7tP_lhbK9X4RkKHw6kK-of7lcp99OX_u2AchIPA-hfpYxTp-wPyq5lwKOI3A_aem_joGoIHmV1q7v0INME-7reQ
