Westlake & Hales Ford Area Plan

Current Progress

At the end of 2022, current Gills Creek Supervisor Lorie Smith established a new Westlake Advisory Committee, with the goal reviewing the adopted 2016 Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan and to craft implementation measures for the Plan. Beginning in January 2023, the Westlake Advisory Committee met monthly to review and discuss progress, current issues and concerns, opportunities for growth - ultimately guiding the creation of an implementation document that provides defined, measurable goals and strategies to be included in the Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan. This will not replace the adopted 2016 Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan, but rather will be an amendment to the adopted Plan.  

The next step in the process is a public hearing with the Planning Commission, to take place on December 12, 2023, where the Commission shall review the Area Plan amendment and make a recommendation to approve or deny adoption of the Plan amendment. Following a recommendation from the Planning Commission, a public hearing will be held with the Board of Supervisors for adoption on January 16, 2024.

To read the proposed Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan amendment, click the link below. 

To read the existing, adopted Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan please scroll to the bottom of this page.

VIEW THE WESTLAKE HALES FORD AREA PLAN AMENDMENT

Previous Efforts

Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan

In January of 2014, Former Gills Creek Supervisor Bob Camicia established a Westlake-Hales Ford Planning Advisory Committee to review the Westlake and Hales Ford areas and make recommendations for the future of this area. The Advisory Committee met monthly for two years and had discussions with subject-matter professionals, close dialogue with the business community, and numerous discussions with individuals and small groups. In addition, the Committee held three public community meetings over the two years.

In March of 2016, the Advisory Committee presented to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors a report from the Advisory Committee entitled "Charting a Path to 2030 and Beyond." The Board of Supervisors directed the Planning Commission and staff to write a community plan for the Westlake-Hales Ford area.

The Franklin County Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval by a vote of 6 to 0 on October 11, 2016 and to forward the recommendation of approval of the Area Plan to the Board of Supervisors. The Franklin County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on November 15, 2016 for the adoption of the Westlake-Hales Ford Area Plan by resolution. The Area Plan was adopted as part of the Franklin County Comprehensive Plan.

Westlake Village Center Overlay District

In 2019, Franklin County utilized EPR, Inc., a professional planning consultant firm, to draft proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments relative to the Westlake Village Center Overlay District. These amendments were an effort to implement the recommendations made in the adopted Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan. Proposed amendments included the addition of two new zoning districts, Rural Residential and Corridor Business; adjustment of the overlay boundary to be aligned with the planning area boundary; selective provisions intended to reduce risk to property owners and their investments; and signage standards for temporary signs. 

These amendments were not adopted. 

Board of Supervisors Adopted Documents (2016)

  1. Resolution of Adoption by the Board of Supervisors (PDF)
  2. Adopted Westlake Hales Ford Area Plan (PDF)
  3. "Charting a Path to 2030 and Beyond" (PDF)