Around the County
Williamson County
Brentwood
Fairview
Franklin
Nolensville
Spring Hill
Thompson's Station
Williamson County
Supreme Court Ruling on the Collection of Adequate Facilities Taxes
A recent ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court clarifies Williamson County government can only collect its $1-per-square-foot tax on new residential construction at the time a building permit is pulled. Click on the links below to view several articles regarding this decision.
State Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Builders (Nashville Business Journal)
County Takes Hit on Square Footage Tax (The Tennessean)
Williamson County Ranked #4 Best Place to Get Ahead (Forbes.com)
Williamson County was recently ranked #4 on the annual Forbes.com list of Best Places to Get Ahead. Rankings are based on job creation and increases in the median household income over the past several years. Click HERE to view the announcement.
2010 Williamson County Elections
Williamson County will hold Republican primary elections for county office on Tuesday, May 4th. Winners of the Republican primary will face any Democratic and Independent challengers in the general election on Thursday, August 5th.
Important Dates to Remember
~ Voter registration deadline- Monday, April 5th
~ Early Voting- April 14th through April 29th
~ Election Day- Tuesday, May 4th
Click on the links below for more information.
List of Candidates
2010 Election Calendar
Register to Vote
Environmental Leadership Class
The third annual Environmental Leadership Class, sponsored by Keep Williamson Beautiful, will begin Tuesday, March 30th. The primary goal of this course is to increase awareness of the beauty of Williamson County and Tennessee, and to promote keeping that beauty intact by stopping litter, encouraging recycling, and engaging local residents. The six-week series will be held every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30pm at 417 Century Court in Franklin. The cost to attend is $35. Click on Keep Williamson Beautiful for more information, or contact their office at (615) 790-5848.
New Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Site
Williamson County residents can now drop-off hazardous waste materials at the Franklin Transfer Station (417 Century Court). Materials are accepted Monday through Friday from 6:30-2:00pm. For additional information, click HERE or contact (615) 794-1516.
2010 US Census
Williamson County government recently formed a Complete Count Committee to educate citizens about the importance of completing their 2010 US Census forms. According to estimates, local governments receive an additional $1,300 in federal and state funding for every additional person counted during the 2010 Census. All households will receive a census form via mail in April 2010. Representatives from the US Census Bureau WILL visit your home if the form is not completed and returned promptly. Click HERE for additional information.
Franklin Tomorrow forms Business Task Force
A Business Task Force formed by Franklin Tomorrow held two meetings in October that were attended by Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, Franklin Mayor John Schroer, and over 120 business and community leaders from across the county. Attendees were asked to respond to the following three questions.
1. What, if any, local government mandates or regulations serve as obstacles to conducting your business?
2. Other than the national economic crisis, generally what is the biggest hurdle your business has faced in 2009?
3. What could our city or county governments, or support organizations like Franklin Tomorrow, do to enhance your ability to conduct business?
Click on the links below to view the press release and summary of submitted comments. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 11 at 8:00am.
Press Release
Summary of Submitted Comments
Prescription Drug Discount Cards Available to Williamson County Residents
Williamson County government offers a prescription drug discount card to all residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage. The FREE program is expected to save residents up to 20% off the retail price of many commonly-prescribed drugs. Click HERE to view program guidelines.
Upcoming Meetings
~ County Commission- Monday, March 8th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
~ Planning Commission- Thursday, March 11th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
Other Information
Statistics for Williamson County (US Census Bureau)
Calendar
Agendas and Minutes
Brentwood
Concord Road Widening Project
Click HERE for project status, anticipated road closures/detours, etc.
Register for Emergency Notification Service
With many people dropping their traditional landline telephones for cell, wireless and Voice over Internet (VOI) phones, the collection of 911 data is growing increasingly more difficult. The City of Brentwood encourages local residents to voluntarily provide emergency notification phone numbers in order to expand the effectiveness of its REVERSE 911 Emergency Notification System. Click on Emergency Notification Service for more information.
Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee Report
The City’s Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee recently released its report and recommendations to the Board of Commissioners outlining several priority actions the City can take to enhance and sustain the environmental quality of municipal operations and services. Click HERE for additional information.
Revision to Floodway Management Regulations
Revisions to the City’s Floodway Management Regulations (Ordinance 09-13) were recently approved. Click on the links below for additional information.
Background/Summary of Ordinance 09-13
Ordinance 09-13
Upcoming Meetings
~ Board of Commissioners - Monday, March 8th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
~ Planning Commission - Monday, March 1st at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
Other Information
Statistics for Brentwood (US Census Bureau)
Calendar
Stream Meeting Videos on the Web
Fairview
City’s New Fire Station a Hot Topic (The Tennessean)
Emergency Response Issue
Having your home or business address clearly visible to police, fire, and emergency responders could mean the difference between life and death. The Fairview Fire Department recently implemented a program to assist residents with properly identifying their residential and/or commercial property. For additional information, contact the Fairview Fire Department at (615) 799-0307.
Upcoming Meetings
~ Board of Commissioners- Thursday, March 4th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
~ Planning Commission- Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
Franklin
Adoption of the 2009 Residential Building Code
The City of Franklin started the process for the adoption of the 2009 International Residential Code to apply to the construction of one and two-family dwellings. The Building and Neighborhood Services Department will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, March 18th at 1:00pm to highlight significant changes from the current code and answer any questions. The meeting will be held at City Hall. For additional information, contact the Building and Neighborhood Services Department at (615) 794-7012.
Mack Hatcher Parkway- Northwest Extension
The design for the 3.2-mile extension of Mack Hatcher Parkway, from Hillsboro Road to Highway 96W, was presented to the BOMA during their work session on February 9th. The proposed roadway will consist of four (4) lanes with a raised median, multi-use path on the inside, street lighting at intersections, and roundabouts located at the intersections with Highway 96W and Del Rio Pike. To view renderings of the proposed design, click HERE and select the link at the bottom of the City’s webpage. FYI- The file is large, so please be patient when trying to download.
Click on the links below for additional information.
Update on Mack Hatcher Parkway
Mack Hatcher Plan Includes Monuments, Native Landscaping (The Tennessean)
Residential Curbside Recycling
City leaders are expected to decide the fate of a proposed curbside recycling program during their next meeting on Tuesday, February 23rd. This program was recently recommended to the Franklin BOMA by the City’s Sustainability Commission. The least-costly option favored by City leaders is the Blue Bag program, which allows residents to dispose of all plastic, paper, steel, aluminum, and cardboard in blue, transparent garbage bags that can be purchased from local retailers. NO STYROFOAM OR GLASS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
The program is voluntary and FREE to all residents receiving regular garbage collection services from the City. Unlike the regular curbside garbage program, there would be no limit to the number of bags allowed per household. The current recycling drop-off sites provided by Williamson County government will continue to operate. If approved, the program is expected to begin in July 2010. Click on the links below for additional information.
Staff Memo (Residential Recycling Program)
Recycling 101
List of Williamson County Recycling Centers
Franklin Sustainable Action Plan
Live Green in Franklin
Public Hearing to Discuss Integrated Water Resources Program (IWRP)
The City of Franklin will host a public forum on Monday, February 22nd at 6:30pm at City Hall to discuss the Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) currently under development. The IWRP is a comprehensive plan for managing the water resources of the City of Franklin and its residents, including drinking water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, etc. Once complete, the plan will provide guidance to city leaders and staff regarding which investments and infrastructure improvements will have the greatest impact towards improving water resources and sustainability. Click HERE for additional information about the City’s Water Management Department and the IWRP.
Sewer Assessment Districts and Disclosure Issues
WCAR recently held several REALTOR® Issues sessions to discuss failing septic systems, Sewer Assessment Districts, and related disclosure issues within the City of Franklin. The presented information has been summarized and posted on the WCAR website. Click on Sewer Assessment Districts to access this information.
Advisory Committee Recommends Voluntary Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
The City’s Affordable/Workforce Housing Advisory Committee recently recommended an inclusionary housing ordinance to City leaders. The proposed ordinance would only apply to previously-approved planned developments seeking an increase in density. As drafted, the ordinance would require at least 10% of all requested additional units to be established as affordable housing units. Developers requesting an increase in density would have several options to satisfy the 10% requirement, including providing units on-site, constructing similar units at a different site, or by paying fees-in-lieu based on the appraised value of all additional lots approved.
For an example, suppose a 50-acre development was previously approved for a maximum density of 2-units per acre (total of 100 units). If this developer were to request, and receive approval, for an additional 20 units, at least 10%, or two (2), of these units must be established as affordable housing units.
The ordinance was recently discussed during a joint-workshop of the Franklin Planning Commission and Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Click on the links below for additional information.
Proposed Ordinance with Comments
Affordable and Workforce Housing
Affordable/Workforce Housing Advisory Committee
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (priority rankings)
Several months ago, the Franklin BOMA established a priority ranking system for all projects listed in the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Click HERE to view the results.
Revisions to Stormwater Regulations
The Stormwater Regulations Board (SRB) is currently working to finalize several amendments to the City’s Stormwater Management ordinance. Among other items, the proposed changes increase the current, 25-foot stream buffer requirement to 75-feet. The 75-foot buffer would be separated into three, 25-foot zones, with specific restrictions and permitted uses within each zone. The changes were discussed in further detail on January 28th during a joint-workshop of the Franklin Planning Commission and Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The Planning Commission is expected to discuss the proposed changes and make a formal recommendation to the BOMA during its next meeting on February 25th.
Click on the links below for additional information. All comments regarding this ordinance should be submitted via Email to Crystal Bishop.
Presentation Regarding Proposed Changes
Ordinance09-21 (changes highlighted in red)
Buck a Bag
The Franklin Solid Waste Department launched its “Buck a Bag’ trash program in late 2009. This program allows residents to purchase stickers to be placed on any garbage bag(s) not fitting inside their city-issued rollaway garbage container. Stickers cost $1 each and can be purchased in the Utility Billing office at City Hall, or by mailing a personal check to the Solid Waste Department (417 Century Court). For additional information, click on Buck a Bag or call either of the following numbers (794-4572 or 794-1516).
Upcoming Meetings
~ BOMA Work Session- Tuesday, March 9th at 5:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
~ Regular Meeting- Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
~ Planning Commission- Thursday, March 25th at 7:00pm
Other Information
Statistics for Franklin (US Census Bureau)
City Projects
View Meeting Agendas/Minutes
Calendar
Nolensville
Future of Nolensville Town Hall Project - Click on the links below for more information.
Financing Snags Nolensville Town Center Project (The Tennessean)
Renderings
Fact Sheet (6/3/09)
Upcoming Meetings
~ BOMA Meeting- Thursday, March 4th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
~ Planning Commission- Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00pm. Click HERE to view the agenda.
Spring Hill
New I-65 Interchange- Spring Hill or Thompson’s Station?
City leaders in Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station are cooperating in an effort to amend a regional transportation plan calling for the construction of an interchange off I-65 at Thompson’s Station Road East. Both local governments are moving forward with resolutions requesting the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to amend its long-range plan and move the interchange further south to Buckner Lane.
The Spring Hill BOMA discussed this issue during its work session on February 8th, and was expected to approve the measure during their regular meeting on February 16th.
The Town of Thompson’s Station scheduled a public meeting to gather comments from residents about this issue. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 25th at 6:00pm at the town’s community center.
Recycling Report
Through a partnership between Spring Hill and Maury County governments, a 24-hour recycling center opened on June 15th, 2009 behind the Food Lion in Spring Hill. Prior to opening, the closest recycling option available to the City’s Maury County residents was at least twenty (20) miles round-trip. In less than six (6) months, over 114 tons of recycled materials have been collected, vastly outperforming all other recycling locations within Maury County.
Increases in Water Rates
Following lengthy discussion among City leaders and two Town Hall meetings for residents, the Spring Hill BOMA is expected to approve an increase in water rates during their meeting on February 16th. Rate increases were recently recommended by an MTAS study to cover a decline in water/sewer tap fee collections and provide funding for a $17 million sewer plant expansion.
The rate changes are summarized below. The minimum monthly bill is based on using 2,000 gallons per month. A tiered rate structure will impose gradual increases through 2014.
~ Minimum water bills will increase from $6.85 to $8.61 per month for the first 2,000 gallons used
~ Residents will be charged $3.26 for every 1,000 gallons used above the monthly minimum
~ By 2014, the minimum water bill will increase to $10.55 per month for the first 2,000 gallons used
~ By 2014, the fee for every 1,000 gallons used above the minimum will increase to $4.00
Stormwater Utility Fee
The Spring Hill BOMA recently approved a $3.50 Stormwater Utility Fee for all developed property within the City. This fee is expected to generate over $650,000 in revenue per year and will be used to comply with federal mandates requiring local jurisdictions to properly maintain an adequate system for the collection, treatment, storage, and disposal of stormwater.
Residential properties pay a flat monthly rate of $3.50. The fees for non-residential properties, including commercial developments, schools, and churches, are based on the total square footage of impervious surface (ex. parking lots, roof). The Stormwater Utility Fee will begin appearing on monthly water bills in either February or March.
Sign Ordinance
The Spring Hill BOMA recently approved revisions to its sign ordinance. Click HERE to view the final draft. The sections addressing real estate signs are located on pages 13-14 of the document.
Maury Alliance Hires Executive Director
Brandom Gengelbach was recently hired as the Executive Director of Maury Alliance, the County’s Chamber of Commerce.
SaveOurPlant.com
The Spring Hill Economic Development Commission (EDC) continues to promote awareness and generate public support for the City’s GM plant. Click HERE to access the website.
Upcoming Meetings
Board of Mayor and Alderman
~ Work Session- Monday, March 8th at 7:00pm
~ Regular Meeting- Monday, March 15th at 7:00pm
Planning Commission
~ Work Session- Monday, March 1st at 5:30pm
~ Regular Meeting- Monday, March 8th at 5:30pm
Other Information
Statistics for Spring Hill (US Census Bureau)
Calendar
Thompson’s Station
New I-65 Interchange- Thompson’s Station or Spring Hill?
City leaders in Thompson’s Station and Spring Hill are cooperating in an effort to amend a regional transportation plan calling for the construction of an interchange off I-65 at Thompson’s Station Road East. Both local governments are moving forward with resolutions requesting the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to amend its long-range plan and move the interchange further south to Buckner Lane.
The Town of Thompson’s Station scheduled a public meeting to gather comments from residents about this issue. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 25th at 6:00pm at the town’s community center.
The Spring Hill BOMA discussed this issue during its work session on February 8th, and was expected to approve the measure during their regular meeting on February 16th.
New Alderman Appointed to BOMA
Daryl Stevens was recently appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Thompson’s Station BOMA. The Town is currently governed by a Mayor and two (2) aldermen, but after changing the Town’s charter last year, this number will increase to four (4) following municipal elections in November 2010.
Future Capital Improvement Projects
A joint meeting of the Town’s Public Works and Finance Committee was held on January 28th to discuss future capital improvement projects and their timeline for completion. Click HERE to view materials discussed during the meeting.
Upcoming Meetings
~ Board of Mayor and Alderman- Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00pm
~ Planning Commission- Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00pm. MEETING CANCELLED
For additional information about these or other topics, contact David Pair, WCAR Government Affairs Director, via Email or phone (771-6845).