Rutherford County Pilot Project

Rutherford County is currently working to create a Comprehensive Plan and Aligned Zoning and Codes for the remaining rural areas and historic communities of this rapidly growing Middle Tennessee county.  The interrelated objectives of Open Space/Farmland Preservation, Historic Town Center Revitalization and Managing the Costs of Community Services were the prevailing reasons for Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess and Planning Director Doug Demosi to call for this Comprehensive Planning/Zoning and Codes Updates Pilot Project.   The project scope and bidding specifications build on the Maury County prototype RFP/RFQ, CRT Quality Growth Principles, Open Space Incentives, and past fiscal modeling with Middle Tennessee State University on the costs of growth related services. 

Rutherford County is the first Quality Growth pilot project to combine the phases of Comprehensive Plan Development and Zoning/Codes Updated into one project and we applaud their efforts to combine both steps into one consulting contract.  We also recognize Parsons Brinkerhoff for their great work on this pilot project.

CRT thanks Robertson County Government leaders Mayor Ernest Burgess, Planning Commission Chair Craig Lynch, Planning Director Doug Demosi and CRT Director Lynnisse Roehrich-Patrick for their leadership with this Quality Growth Toolbox project.  Below is a snapshot of the process this community is followed.

Collaborative Leadership

  • Preliminary meetings held with Rutherford County Mayor, Planning Commission Chair, Planning Staff and CRT Directors in June, July and August 2008 to discuss processes and CRT tools and resources for County-wide Comprehensive Planning project to be undertaken in Rutherford County later
  • RFQ released in August 2008 and 4 firms qualified for Comprehensive Plan work in September of 2008
  • RFP released in October of 2008
Visioning & Consensus

  • Four-hour Quality Growth Toolbox Training for Rutherford County Steering Committee and Planning Commissioners held on October 27, 2008
Program Action
  • Comprehensive Planning and Regulatory Update contract awarded to Parsons Brickerhoff in December 2008
Strategic Implementation

  • Comprehensive Plan Development underway with Steering Committee and other key government offices
  • CRT GIS GreenPrint for Quality Growth data used to identify strategic open lands for consideration and conservation
  • Public meeting underway in the Fall of 2009
Citizen Involvement Totals
  • Fifteen key community leaders agreed to serve on Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
  • Forty local officials and Steering Committee members participated in a four-hour Quality Growth Toolbox Training on October 27, 2008
Total Participation: More than 50 leaders and citizens involved in initial stages