Williamson County
Comprehensive community plans
Williamson County, boasting about 165,000 residents nestled among its rolling hills continues to outpace most of the nation in population growth. The cities of Brentwood and Franklin are particularly booming, driven by their business-friendly atmosphere and tight-knit suburban communities. Recently ranked as America’s wealthiest county by the Council for Community and Economic Research, Williamson County certainly possesses the means to aggressively pursue smart growth projects to manage that expansion. Williamson seized the challenge and finalized its
Comprehensive Plan in August 2007, focusing especially on permanent rural preservation and regulating community services. Williamson County is now focusing on creating Special Area Plans for rural villages, such as the
College Grove Village Special Area Plan, completed in the summer of 2010. This plan will guide development for this unique community with focus on preserving its rural character and limiting growth.
Updated zoning, subdivision and building codes to implement plans
Williamson planners are actively revising zoning codes, especially those governing rural areas. For example, planners are shifting to new conservation rural subdivision regulations in lower density areas that ensure community character while directing residents towards established municipalities. Additionally, villages of especially historic or environmental value are drawing up individualized plans to ensure their continued protection. By blending macro and micro level planning, Williamson hopes to close damaging code loopholes that have often compromised past plans.
Design for protection and enhancement of community character
Williamson residents highly prize their status as a rural community, and they have fought vigorously to maintain that standing despite their booming population. In addition to traditional policies respecting historic buildings and agricultural lands, Williamson residents seek permanent preservation for several historic roadways throughout the county, particularly in its northern and western portions. To streamline the preservation process, the county has commissioned survey to identify lands and structures of high historic priority.
Although planning participants reached a consensus on the need to preserve rural character, they wildly disagreed on how to achieve that end. Many argued that establishing lowering density requirements in rural areas would best protect land, but several others countered that such a policy would unduly burden landowners with the duty of open space conservation; therefore, the final plan does not endorse mandatory lower densities, but rather strengthens alternatives such as natural resource conservation rules and Transfer of Development Rights programs.
Housing
Given the relatively high average income in Williamson, housing prices are steeper than many of Nashville’s surrounding suburban areas, creating barriers for many potential residents; therefore, policymakers are diversifying the housing stock, through zoning and differential fees, to offer a series of price points for homebuyers and renters. Furthermore, they are prioritizing housing targeted for the substantial elderly population in the county, as well as concentrated maintenance on the many older homes dotting the rural landscape.
Conservation
County leaders and citizens are exceptionally apprehensive about the integrity and continued stability of Williamson’s water supply, which flows primarily from the sensitive Harpeth River watershed. By implementing stream and lake setbacks, watershed protections, floodplain controls, and other water conservation measures, Williamson hopes to stretch its fragile water sources to fit its growing population without destroying invaluable natural resources.
Additionally, residents have instituted a policy of preservation for smaller farmland staples such as stone walls, older fences, and surrounding woodlands. By reusing existing amenities on farms, specifically, landowners can circumvent construction that can erode existing land and compromise water quality. The city of Franklin has even created separate Sustainability and Tree Commissions to more closely study issues of preservation and natural resource sustainability.
Land use and transportation
State Route 840, currently under construction, bisects Williamson from West to East, creating both opportunities and development pressures along its entirety. To control that pressure, the Williamson Plan designates a handful of “840 Centers” at key interchanges along 840 at which development is encouraged; however, all other development proposals along the highway will meet significant barriers. Currently, only one 840 Center is approved, although more will be opened as construction progresses.
Although the Williamson Plan designates scrupulous rules governing new roadway construction and maintenance, it grants scant attention to alternative methods of transportation. Though roads require careful attention to ensure minimal environmental impact and congestion, they would produce a far smaller impact if citizens were walking or biking on them. Williamson has taken many steps in the correct direction for transit policy, but it can take many more for alternative transportation.
Efficient use of existing infrastructure
As the county population explodes, municipal services face daunting challenges to keep up with growth while managing costs. Schools are of particular concern: Williamson historically boasts high-quality school systems, but funding and access for future schools could be jeopardized if costs outpace revenues generated by new residents. Careful school siting within walking distance of students can help reduce infrastructure costs and lower the need for inefficient car-related expenses.
Additionally, county policymakers worry that new alternative sewage treatment methods—non-public entities which operate on a decentralized, situational rather than a regional basis—will expedite rural sprawl if planning does not regulate use. The County therefore plans to battle sprawl through a policy of limited service availability: areas designated for rural development will receive rural levels of service, while designated suburban areas will receive suburban levels of service, for example. By rationing services and implementing alternative sewer technologies only as needed, the community hopes to prevent “leapfrog” development.
Thinking and acting regionally
As Williamson’s growth accelerates, so too does its need for regional collaboration. Thankfully, Williamson is working extensively among its many communities as well as reaching out to Nashville’s planning leaders. Through regional action, Williamson can ensure its continued economic vitality without compromising its bucolic integrity.