On Monday, Franklin’s City Council will hold two public hearings that are of significance to the city’s economic future. The first will be to approve a request to have 63 acres, located near the intersection of South Street and Route 58, rezoned for the possible development of motels, convenience stores, other retail or light industry. The request makes perfect sense, given that the location’s proximity to the primary thoroughfare along Virginia’s south side make it ideal for capturing some of the dollars that will be traveling up and down that road each day. It could also aid in the future development of the adjacent Pretlow Industrial Park.

The second hearing of importance will take on the issue of Franklin’s incredibly strict sign ordinance, relaxing requirements that would allow a business with five acres within 500 feet of Route 58 to put up a sign no taller that 190 feet as long as it is a minimum of 200 feet from a residential property line. In a city not known for being terribly business friendly, approving these requests would be a step in the right direction, as well as being the obvious and right things to do.