This is part two of a story on a new residential project, to be located in Franklin behind Gentry’s Farm, that has been proposed. The project requires annexation of the former Pewitt Farm property off Old Charlotte Pike East and is projected to include 157 homes, townhouses and a connector road. Previously, we covered some background information about the property (read that here).
Today, we are highlighting three arguments against developing this property.
1Development will alter the historical character and sense of place
According to Meg Hershey, Chief Operating Officer, Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, “Whenever development occurs, the historic character and sense of place will change… Historic corridors like Old Charlotte Pike and the West Harpeth watershed are pathways that connect us to our past. From Native Americans to Revolutionary land grants to pioneer families, the fertile landscape along the West Harpeth River and its tributaries contributed greatly to Williamson County’s unique historic character. Reflected on the Old Charlotte Pike historic corridor are two Tennessee Century Farms and two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each homestead represents the architectural, environmental and cultural significance of why preservation in Williamson County matters.”
Preserved historic areas draw tourism, provide educational opportunities and are often more environmentally friendly, as they produce less waste, pollution, and soil erosion.
2Urban sprawl impacts cropland, woodland, and pastureland nationally
According to the 1997 “Impacts of Changing Land Use” study, which pulled together information from experts all over the United States and Canada, developments are quickly eating up prime farmland, natural habitats, and pasture land for herd management of livestock and dairy stock. They are changing important ecosystems.
The website FarmProgress.com notes that close to 1,000 acres per day are being converted into housing developments. “American Farmland Trust estimates that since ’82, 24 million acres of farmland and ranchland have been developed,” the article states. “To put it in perspective, that’s roughly the equivalent of losing all the land in Indiana and Rhode Island since ’82.”
While many of us think that grocery stores feed us, actually farms do. As we have moved to more urban settings and distanced ourselves from farm life, we forget that without farms, we starve. They also provide economic, environmental, and socio-cultural benefits.
As we develop fertile farmland, we are cutting down trees and wildlife habitats to create new farms. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 85% of the species on the endangered list are there due to loss of habitat.
“This type of density will forever ruin the historic, rural landscape and set a dangerous precedent for the future across these remaining pastoral landscapes in Franklin,” reads a petition started by Keep Williamson Livable.
3Development collides with the environment
In an age when so much has been said about creating a smaller environmental footprint, development brings increased pollution of all types – more transportation congestion, increased energy usage, more burden on the infrastructure, and it impairs natural healing systems of land, water, and air.
The “Impacts of Changing Land Use” study noted that it increases soil and wind erosion, nutrient loss, bacterial contamination, and resource depletion. This can result in lower farm yields. It also strains hunting, fishing, and the enjoyment of the natural environment.
Leaf litter, pet droppings, and vehicle leakage pollute streams, and hard surfaces like roads, driveways, sidewalks, and roofs block the natural recharging of ground water back into potable drinking water.
As discussions continue on the development, Hershey notes that, “continued development does allow for more people to live, work and play in our community. However, the Heritage Foundation believes most Williamson Countians value the protection of our cultural, historic and environmental resources. This gives us a specific lens in which we view and advocate for the preservation of these elements.”
Well, you’re trying to infuse logic into a conversation that’s not really a conversation but driven by greed. For instance, how many traffic studies has the city done to determine traffic impact and how many of them seem to come back declaring there is an acceptable amount. Have any of these so called city “leaders” tried to get down Columbia Pike between Downs Blvd and Mack Hatcher at any time past 2 pm M-F? They are selling the soul of Franklin’s beauty and charm for yet another ridiculously priced, cookie cutter subdivision.
I thought the County Commission voted not
To allow further annexation into the County.
No one wants all the current County on City
Growth. Franklin and Williamson County is
already ruined especially with traffic.
This two part series should really either have a third part about the advantages of the proposed development or a disclaimer that this series has been a marketing piece for Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s agenda. This is hardly journalism and does not provide a voice from the developer, builders, realtors or the Williamson County Tax office who will all benefit from the project.
What Ms.Rennick fails to mention in her canned quotes form the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, The American Farmland Trust and Keep Williamson Livable is that all of this disappearing farmland is being sold by the farmers. It is not being taken at gunpoint. They are willing, and I imagine handsomely rewarded participants in these transactions.
If The Heritage Foundation feels so strongly that developments such as the one preposed should not be going forward they could purchase the land and preserve it anyway they feel fit.
I have lived in Williamson County since I was in elementary school, and it has literally broken my heart to see how it has been torn apart, piece by piece.
I loved growing up on a farm, riding my horse nearly every day, eating food from our garden.
No, Franklin is nothing like it once was. Such a shame.