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The rural feel of Whites Creek remains in limbo in northern Davidson County, where city planners are debating how dense new housing can be. A large contingent of residents prefer large lots, farms, and uninterrupted rolling hills. But several landowners want to build subdivisions.
The Metro Planning Commission has been developing two options for how they write the new rural land use rules for Whites Creek.
More: Whites Creek Community Plan
As planner Brenda Diaz explained, both policies share much in common, including keeping development off steep slopes and requiring open spaces be maintained in new subdivisions.
But there’s a key contrast.
“Density,” Diaz said, “is the biggest difference here.”
Under one possible policy, 44 new homes would be allowed on one property. But if the commission goes with the other policy option, then fewer than 12 homes would be allowed on the same piece of land.
A similar scenario applies to 11 properties in Whites Creek. Their futures triggered a dispute in June and threatened to derail the entire NashvilleNext master plan. But the 11 properties were set aside out for separate consideration, and now the vote has been pushed back.
It’s such an important decision that Planning Director Doug Sloan decided that commission members should go see the land.
“Laying eyes on the actual properties that we’re talking about…it’s certainly worth the time for us to go out and take a look at it,” he said.
More: NashvilleNext rural development presentation
Meanwhile, the Planning Department staff and the commission are considering an update to the countywide subdivision regulations.
“We’re taking larger and larger steps toward focusing on harmonious development,” Sloan said.
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