Brentwood Approves New Development Guidelines

BRENTWOOD, TN — Brentwood's City Commission approved new development guidelines Monday as part of what was called the "2020 Plan."

The plan has been years in the making, so many years, in fact, that it was re-named the "2030 Plan" Monday night because 2020 is just around the corner.

The plan has seven primary goals, but does not include future annexation, as Brentwood leaders had already opted against annexation plans unless it could contribute city services.

The seven points are:

• Assure adequate areas for environmental conservation, recreation and scenic purposes
• Consider adequate provisions for retirement-age persons, including alternate housing for all life stages, services and activities
• Provide commercial activities that will increase the tax base, serve areas with unmet needs, reduce trips associated with convenience activities and maintain Brentwood’s regional competitive attraction for strong households and businesses.
• Assure a mobile community that addresses roadway improvements, traffic congestion, bike and pedestrian access and participation in regional transit plans that includes a route along the I-65 corridor.
• Assure a consistent, compatible arrangement of land uses in Brentwood that meets current and future needs and reflects community values.
• Enhance the community identity involving entry, appearance, cultural or civic opportunities and safety.
• Managing growth in a way that addresses the "changing needs of the population and business community" and ensures growth does not "exceed the city’s ability to provide necessary infrastructure and services."

The city began revamping the plan in 2013 when it developed "Town Center" zoning. Eventually, residential uses were removed from that designation in 2014 and the commission took up the task of updating the rest of the plan.

City Manager Kirk Bednar said even with the new designation that stretches the shelf-life of the plan out another decade, it is likely updates will still be needed, according to The Tennessean.

"Given the extensive amount of public input into the process over the last couple of years and given that we're so close to 2020 at this point and very doubtful you're going to see over the next couple years, that we go ahead and designate it as the 2030 plan," Bednar said. "...With the idea there would probably need to be another update in the 2020 to 2025 range."

Image via City of Brentwood