After several years of planning, Franklin Township is poised to take the next step on amendments to its zoning ordinance, including zoning map changes.

It was announced at Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting that a public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the township administration office regarding the amendments.

Resident Rod Green, a former township supervisor, peppered the board with questions, notably how the proposed amendments would benefit the township.

“Why change it?” Green asked.

Board Chairman Fred Kemmerer Jr. said that the township, Mahoning Township, and Lehighton Borough received a grant to review their subdivision and land development ordinance, so that any place that has to be developed is represented.

“These haven’t been updated since 1972,” said Kemmerer, who noted short-term rentals have become an issue the township has to consider. “Now, we’re way behind the eight-ball.”

Green asked the board what the point is in turning Canal Street, Fairyland Road and Second Street to a commercial district.

“You want to put commercial in residential,” Green said. “To me, it doesn’t make sense to me (when the township has) the highway.”

Green also asked the board why the township is considering changing agricultural to residential.

“Why waste the time and money to change it to something that’s already developed?” he said.

Supervisor Jason Frey said that there are some things in the proposed amendments that are of a benefit, and some things that aren’t.

Green told the board “technically, you changed my property to residential. Will it change my taxes?”

He again asked the board why it was considering changing agricultural to residential.

Kemmerer said it was merely “just to get everybody in different areas on board.”

Still, Green said he couldn’t fathom why such changes were being contemplated.

“I think 1-acre lots are what makes Franklin unique,” he said.

Kemmerer said this has been a collective effort since 2016.