FRANKLIN—Attendance was low, but hopes to gain insight into the city’s long-range development plans were high during a community forum held at Hickory Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on Thursday evening.

About 25 people attended the event, sponsored by the church. The purpose of the gathering was to educate the public about issues involving future road-widening projects, land use, blight and redevelopment in the city.

Church members and neighbors became concerned because of &uot;potential land loss due to the 2020 plan,&uot; according to church member Thomas Councill, in reference to the transportation chapter of the city’s comprehensive plan.

Among those attending were Ward 3 Councilwoman Rosa Lawrence, Vice Chairman of the Franklin City Planning Commission Lawyer Artis, and mayoral candidates Gregory McLemore and Ellis Crum.

Moderator Purlie Banks, director of evangelism at Hickory Grove, posed some questions, and others were taken from the floor.

&uot;It was very informative,&uot; she said. &uot;I was pleased.&uot;

She said that the projected road widening that includes areas of Second Avenue, Armory Drive and South Street, to name a few, and what the Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority intends to do with Surburban Gardens were concerns of citizens.

&uot;I was impressed with the candidates, (Lawyer) Artis gave us a lot of information about how the planning commission works, and City Councilwoman Rosa Lawrence encouraged us to get behind our council (representatives) and let them know what we want.&uot;

Lawrence said that people were also encouraged during the forum to learn who serves on various city boards and committees and about their projections.

She said if South Street is indeed widened it would more than likely affect her business on South and Stonewall streets.

&uot;You can’t stop growth,&uot; she said. &uot;You can’t stay in a box.&uot;