The Fight against “McMansions” Continues this Morning

hillsboro

If you see folks dressed in red in front of the Courthouse this morning, it will be in protest to the proposed “McMansions” being built in Hillsboro Cove. It all started when property bought by Bob Parks Realty was sold to first time developer Brandon Jenkins of Grove Construction Company. While the land was Zoned Rural-5  by the county (i.e. one lot per 5 acres simply put) , a plan from Jenkins to build a lot for approximately every acre was approved by the County Planning Commission , much to the chagrin of the residents of the area. “McMansions” ,as they are called in the Hillsboro road area, are 4,500-6,500 sq. ft. houses on one acre plots. Jenkin’s plan calls for 20 of these on a 34 acre plot.

In April, residents attended the County Planning meeting and, along with their county representatives and some elected officials who didn’t come from their area, spoke on the following points:

  • The property was on a floodplain and the Corps of Engineers report had not been completed after the area flooded in 2010.
  • There was not sufficient septic systems on the plans for the number of houses being proposed
  • Commission was sent a report from TDOT ,48 hours before the meeting, making Hillsboro “one of the most dangerous roads in the State” .
  • That the commission was completely ignoring the spirit of the Rural-5 Zoning.
  • Property backs up to a Blue-Line River.
  • Commission was warned by many commissioners that if approved it might be illegal.

Despite all of that , the Plat was approved. Since then numerous construction trucks have wrecked or overturned on Hillsboro and many reports of property damage due to runoff have been the case.

Fast forward to September, and many closed door sessions by the County Planning Commission. The citizens met in front of the Honorable Judge Martin in a case filed against the County. At that time the County proposed the citizens have “no standing” .  Judge Martin has given them to today to prove such.

Since then the builders and developers have also filed a “no standing” petition.

According to “Save Old Hillsboro”, the group of citizens fighting the development ,the following has happened since the August ruling :

  • Next door neighbors, Alex and Mary Wade who are part of both Save Rural Franklin and Save Old Hillsboro Rd are enduring a great deal of damage to their property due to Hillsboro Cove using their land as off site drainage WITHOUT being granted easement.
  • The Wades had engineers come in to investigate water tables, drainage etc and AquaTere found that numbers used to approve initial plat were grossly inaccurate
  • Due to pressure from contractors and Home Builders Association, Shawn Henry of Tune, Entrekin and White, P.C. filed to withdraw as co-counsel for petitioners ( the people)
  • Contractors and associates have contacted all major land use attorneys in the area to “conflict” them out of the option for co-council
  • “Miller Hogan, Counsel for petitioners (the community) has stayed loyal to his clients despite receiving massive pressure from builders, contractors, subcontractors, Home Builders Association AND his own partners. He is a man of great integrity and believes in doing what is right.” Citizens of Save Old Hillsboro.

Expect there to be major attention as attorneys from all over Middle Tennessee and community members will show up in numbers to witness how this will be ruled. Williamson Source will be there and as soon as a ruling is passed down, we will update you.

 

 

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Clark Shelton
Cark Shelton lived in Franklin, Tn for over 20 years and has been with the company since its first year. Clark’s background in sales, web development and writing gives him the ability to wear many hats. Clark currently splits his time between Franklin and Cancun, Mexico.