Franklin BOC Denies Rezoning Request for Planned Dragway

Franklin County Commissioners have denied a rezoning request from a Jefferson man so he could put in a speedway.

Brad Ocock requested that 112.25 acres on Highway 327 New Franklin Church Road be rezoned from Agriculture Intensive (AI) to Light Industrial (LI).

The property is located at 5620 Hwy 327 and is further identified as parcel number 065 116.

Ocock had planned to put in a large dragway, which he said would operate primarily on the weekends.

Along with drag racing, there would also be other events there, he said, such as swap meets and auctions on certain weeknights.

However, a large crowd of citizens who live along Highway 327 came out in protest of the plan that they said would disrupt the quiet enjoyment of their homes and community.

Property owners in the area said the dragway would bring high volumes of traffic, alcohol use, crime, and disturb worship at local churches on Sunday.

Ocock responded that said his business plan would be similar to Chick-Fil-A with regard to Sunday activities.

Ocock said the dragway would be put in in stages with the drag strip operational by the summer of 2024.

After hearing from Ocock and citizens, Interim-County Commission Chair Kyle Foster called for a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission to deny the rezoning request and that motion passed unanimously.