Residents asked to give input on future growth

By NANCY DEVILLE • ndeville@tennessean.com • 259-8304 • October 17, 2008 Rural Hill, Moss Hill communities can help determine planning guidelines for area Residents in the Rural Hill and Moss Hill neighborhoods are urged to attend a series of community meetings to weigh in on the area's growth. The Metro Planning Commission is working with community members to create a Detailed Neighborhood Design Plan, which will outline appropriate land use and urban design that will complement and enhance the portion of south Davidson County. The study is roughly bordered by Una-Antioch Pike to the west, Mt. View Road to the south, Rural Hill Road to the east and the area south of Streamfield Pass and Bridgecrest Drive to the west. The community, the Planning Commission and Metro Council will use the plan as a starting point to discuss public and private investment in the area, including proposed zoning changes, subdivisions and public facilities such as roads, sidewalks, greenways and schools. "There is a need for the plan with so many people complaining about property values going down and concerned about apartments and low-scale condominiums being built in the area," said Councilman Robert Duvall, who with Councilman Duane Dominy, is working with Metro planners and residents on the plan. "Our goal is to come up with a design plan as to what the neighborhood should look like." During the series of meetings, which began on Wednesday, Oct. 8, planners will consult with area residents and business owners to gather ideas on growth of the neighborhood. The comments will be used to create a plan that balances the community's vision with sound planning principles that will accommodate growth in a sustainable manner. The information gathered will be used to evaluate future zoning and subdivision requests. The next meeting Monday, Oct. 20, will allow stakeholders to develop the vision statement and development goals for the area. Participants will break into smaller groups and outline what they like and don't like and the types of new development is wanted. This is the first detailed neighborhood design plan created for this area. "It is important to have as much community participation in the process to be sure that the plan reflects a vision agreed upon by the community since it will shape future development decisions," said Kathryn Withers, a Metro planner.