November 2009
This information was prepared to keep you informed of the comprehensive planning process and activities of the Sumner County Regional Planning Commission.
In this issue:
- Workshops next week for Northeast Corridor Mobility Study
- New Construction & Development Department contact information
- Working group under development for 2035 Comprehensive Plan
- Gov. Bredesen announces funding for Station Camp Greenway
- 1 pedestrians, 2 pedestrians, 3 pedestrians, 4...
- Sumner planners host workshop
- Did you know?
Workshops next week for Northeast Corridor Mobility Study
 Citizens in East Nashville, Madison-Rivergate, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, and Gallatin are invited to attend upcoming workshops hosted by the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) regarding the Northeast Corridor Mobility Study. The study is a regional planning effort to analyze future development scenarios and transportation improvements between these communities. The study considers existing land use/urban design policies and economic growth potential en route to evaluating possible transportation solutions for the fast growing corridor.
Recommendations for mass transit alternatives will be presented at the workshops and citizens will have the opportunity to provide public input on those recommendations. Come to one or more workshops for additional information and to share your ideas!
Hendersonville: Begins at 5:30 pm
Monday, November 9
Hendersonville Public Library, 140 Saundersville Rd, Hendersonville 37075
615-824-0656
Goodlettsville: Begins at 5:30 pm
Wednesday, November 11
Goodlettsville City Hall, 105 South Main Street, Goodlettsville 37072
615-851-2200
Gallatin: Begins at 5:30 pm
Thursday, November 12
Sumner County Administration Building, 355 N. Belvedere, Gallatin 37066
615-452-3604
Madison: Begins at 5:30pm
Monday, November 16
Fifty Forward Madison Station (formerly Madison Senior Center), 301 Madison Street, Madison 37116
615-865-5400
East Nashville: Begins at 5:30 pm
Tuesday, November 17
East Park Community Center, 700 Woodland Street, Nashville 37206
615-862-8448
Please contact Félix Castrodad at (615) 862-7204 or castrodad@nashvillempo.org, or visit the project website at www.nashvillempo.org/northeast for more information.
New Construction & Development Department contact information
On July 20, 2009, the Sumner County Commission adopted Resolution 0907-04 creating a new Construction & Development (C&D) Department. All activities of the Codes, Engineering, Environmental, and Planning & Zoning Departments were consolidated into the C&D. Because of these changes, some personnel have moved office locations and telephone numbers may have changed.
Sumner County Construction & Development Department
355 N. Belvedere Drive, Room 202
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-1467
FAX: (615) 451-6074
Working group under development for 2035 Comprehensive Plan
The Sumner County Regional Planning Commission is examining the development of a working group to help develop the Sumner County Comprehensive Plan. The working group will be composed of representatives within the county providing their professional perspective and background to help flesh out components of a comprehensive plan. The plan will build upon the Tri-County Transportation & Land Use Study conducted by the Nashville Area MPO. The working group will meet after the new year and actions out of the working group will be taken to planning commission meetings, stakeholder meetings, and public meetings for input and feedback throughout 2010. Citizens can stay informed of the latest progress involving the Sumner County Comprehensive Plan through the 2035 Comprehensive Plan website.
More about the comprehensive plan>>
Gov. Bredesen announces funding for Station Camp Greenway
 Governor Phil Bredesen joined TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely and state and local leaders on August 26, to announce that the state will provide Sumner County with a transportation enhancement grant of $339,936 to assist with the development of Phase 2 of the Lower Station Camp Greenway and Trailhead.
The project site is located along Long Hollow Pike near Gallatin and is situated in an unincorporated area of western Sumner County. Phase 2 will address development of the historic Douglass-Clark House site as a trailhead facility and will provide site access and parking, restroom facilities, and greenway construction and signage from the historic Douglass-Clark House continuing south along Station Camp Creek.
Phase 1 of the greenway will start at Bison Trail near Station Camp High School and will continue north connecting to Phase 2. Phase 1 construction is expected to start in 2010. The Lower Station Camp Greenway project is divided into three phases, stretches approximately 2.5 miles, and connects Gallatin's and Hendersonville's greenway systems.
A variety of activities such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects are eligible for grant funds under the federal transportation enhancement program.
1 pedestrian, 2 pedestrians, 3 pedestrians, 4...
 On September 8, the Nashville Area MPO conducted pedestrian and bicycle counts generating baseline data about the number of people using regional facilities to walk and bike. Counts were taken at 23 locations, including three spots in Sumner County, during peak commute times (7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.). Over 800 pedestrians and bicyclists were counted at the top spot in Hillsboro Village in Nashville and nearly 4,000 pedestrians and bicyclists counted regionwide. Below are results from Sumner County:
- South Water in Gallatin - 54 pedestrians & 4 bicyclists
- Trail around Drake's Creek Park - 88 pedestrians & 10 bicyclists
- Lower Station Camp at Bison Trail - 4 pedestrians & 8 bicyclists
Counts will be performed each year to help planners assess trends in bicycle and pedestrian travel. Contact Leslie Meehan with the MPO for more information.
More about the pedestrian and bicycle counts (PDF file)>>
Sumner planners host workshop
The Sumner County Planners Association worked with regional partners to host a successful session on Revitalizing Commercial Corridors with examples of mixed use corridors and nodes presented by national expert Randall Arendt on August 31.
The timely session brought together over 125 local planning officials, professional planners, and designers from the region to learn strategies on practical ways to reclaim existing highway strips or create new transit oriented developments that create significant opportunities for commercial and mixed-use redevelopment, particularly in areas with existing infrastructure and existing or future mass transit service. These concepts are critical as the region proceeds with the Northeast Corridor Mobility Study. The benefits of supporting transit infrastructure investments, increasing the value for property owners and viability of business locations, along with the creation of housing choice through good architectural and site designs were presented and discussed during the session. Regional organizations continue to advocate these best practices for local jurisdictions to consider to address a number of growth issues in the Nashville region.
The Planners Association brings together professional planners in Sumner County once a quarter to discuss recent activities in the county and collaborate on issues. Each year they host a training workshop for planning commissioners.
Did you know?
 Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, Portland, and White House have planning regions that extend beyond their city limits. All planning and building activities in these portions of unincorporated county are handled by these municipalities. Sumner County handles matters outside of those areas not within municipal limits but within the county.
Federal law requires urban areas with a population greater than 50,000 people to coordinate surface transportation planning activities through a metropolitan planning organization (MPO). The Nashville Area MPO is the designated entity handling transportation planning activities for the region. Sumner County has representation on the MPO's Technical Coordinating Committee and Executive Board.
There are a number of methods used to create comprehensive plans, which can cover a variety of planning topics. Most plans include at least a land use and transportation element outlining a community vision and goals. A range of public input, feedback, and dialog are important during the development process.
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