The state of Tennessee has a long-standing heritage agriculturally and naturally beautiful resources, and there is a delicate balance to be maintained between the preservation of land and the developing of living spaces and communities for future generations. The greater Nashville area is growing fast, and local city governments have been hard at work to make the transitions something that works best for residents and also fosters growth.
Tension between conservation groups and developing areas is of great concern to many Williamson County citizens. That’s why the county provides multiple opportunities for the public to have their say in development planning, and makes efforts to work with conservation groups.
Growth and development across Williamson County is an ongoing and broad issue, and will be covered by the Williamson Source in a series of articles following this introductory piece.
Conservation groups like the Land Trust for Tennessee and the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation work with concerned citizens with a mind for conservation to continue to push for green space among the growing city while local governments develop a plan for the evolving area. The land trust association has protected 6,122 acres of land with 46 properties protected (the most concentrated amount of projects among Tennessee’s counties) by writing legal restrictions into the property deed, which means that even if the land is bought the area must be used for the purposes outlined in the deed.
Brentwood
Movoto, a real estate news website, has placed Brentwood number seven on their list of the ten riches small cities in America. A recent survey of Brentwood residents showed that over 60 percent of the city-residing respondents are satisfied with the rate of development in the city since the Brentwood 2020 development plan was implemented over ten years ago. Groups like Preserve Brentwood are watchful of the development inspired by the growing city, and the Land Trust for Tennessee has a pending project in the area.
Spring Hill/Thompson Station
Rapid growth in Spring Hill has caused problems with traffic, fewer and fewer rental opportunities, but also vast opportunities for developers to move in on an area where residents lack many of the amenities they crave. Many developments are under construction in Spring Hill including a 12-screen Carmike movie theater that is driving other businesses to consider setting up shop in the suburban community. Overall, citizens are mainly excited for the growth, but sluggish traffic on the Saturn Parkway, the city’s main connection to I-65, is a major concern of many citizens that are pushing for the city to create a more effective way to get into Nashville during rush hour.
Thompson Station is set to receive a land trust soon under a pending project.
Nolensville
Two new developments are slated for the Nolensville area. Carothers Crossing, being developed by Walton Tennessee, is going in a 545 acre area between I-24’s exit 62 and the town of Nolensville, and an addition to the Burkitt Place subdivision is also scheduled to begin construction soon. The city is working out ways to improve the main drive through town while also preserving the historical beauty of the small community.
Franklin
Conservation efforts along the Natchez Trace Parkway are underway with a land trust agreement sponsored by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation called the Big East Fork which totals over 1,300 acres of protected land. For a PDF of the Big East Fork Retreat, click HERE.
Leiper’s Fork
Located between Franklin and Fairview, Leiper’s Fork boasts over the winning efforts of conservationists in the area with a big chunk of Williamson County preservation coming from Leiper’s Fork. With speedy growth happening around the county, this area is relying on land trusts to keep the developers out and the natural areas in. Leiper’s Fork gives the feel of small town living within close proximity to the metro Nashville area.
In the unincorporated areas of the county, a comprehensive plan has been drawn up by the county government outlining how development will happen on the outskirts of towns. Projected demand sits at about 8,000 – 16,000 units of housing needed to meet demand in these areas in the future, and, according to the comprehensive plan’s goals “the character of rural historic landscapes and Villages will be preserved and strengthened, and open spaces and environmental resources will be preserved as part of connected systems.”
