Sumner County: Preserving Open Spaces & Cultural Places

In Case Studies, Publications, Quality Growth, Resource, Sumner
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Quality Growth Case Study

Written by Kasey Talbott, 2010

Over 70% of Sumner County is unincorporated. Recognizing this and the strains of current and future projected population growth in the coming decades, Sumner County leaders decided to address the issues head on. The result is one of the best comprehensive plans in the region. With help from CRT’s GIS Greenprint tool, the plan emphasizes open space conservation.

View the Sumner County Case Study, PDF.

Background

Sumner County is a growing region projected to increase by 80,000 people by 2035. This anticipated increase will change the landscape in Sumner County and impact infrastructure such as roads, schools, and utilities. Community leaders had discussed creating a comprehensive plan for years in order to set guide lines for future growth, but the decision to proceed gained momentum because of the Tennessee Three Star Program.

“It was our desire to move up from the one level in the Three Star program and we knew not having the comprehensive plan held us back.” Michael Briggs, Sumner County Planner

The Tennessee Three Star Program lowers matching funds requirements for local governments based on a three level ranking system, thus saving money for local governments.

Collaborative Leadership

In creating the plan Sumner County drew from a deep well of information and studies from such organizations as the Nashville MPO, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, Tennessee Department of Economic Transportation and the Department of Forestry.

Visioning and Consensus

Figure A is a map showing defined rural areas in Sumner County

Sumner County used a combination of data analysis from these groups and their own in conjunction with community input to establish a common vision.

Some of the tools used to gain this information included the following. In particular, the online surveys helped Sumner County gain qualitative information that otherwise did not have.

Growth Projections and Trends
Public Input Opportunities
On-line Visioning Survey
On-line Transportation Survey
Transportation Plan Projects
Visual Preference Survey

Based on the information obtained from public input, Sumner County created a simple and direct vision statement to guide their Comprehensive Plan.

Vision Statement

“Sumner County will maintain the high quality of life of those that live, work, and play in unincorporated Sumner County.”

Program Action

Through the various public forums it was made clear that Sumner County residents were most concerned about preserving the county’s remaining open spaces and cultural places. The plan addresses this concern by defining these open spaces, setting goals for preservation and implementing strategies to achieve the goals. Briggs gives a lot of credit to the Climate Project Act Grant, which helped to form a lot of the baseline information for the plan.

Goals & Strategic Implementation

Protection of Natural Resources Objectives and Strategies

Goal 1. To identify and protect the most critical resources exist in Sumner County – Enhance existing policies to minimize the impact of futuredevelopment on natural resources.

Update county regulatory documents in response to the May 2010 flooding event to include greater buffer requirements along waterways and construction of buildings higher than one foot above base flood elevations.
Update the Sumner County Subdivision regulations to include green infrastructure best management practices as possible development incentives. These practices may include the use of pervious pavement, maximum parking standards, bioswales, green roofs, etc.
Update the Sumner County Zoning Resolution to restrict development in natural resource-rich areas (forested, steep slopes, along streams, etc.) unless new development meets established criteria that lessens the impact upon natural resources and does not endanger life or property. The criteria should be recommended through the Natural Resources Protection Focus Group and the Sumner County Regional Planning Commission.
Consider the impacts upon natural resources when new developments are proposed and implement safeguards as necessary to ensure their protection.
Update the Sumner County Subdivision Regulations to no longer allow development on steep slopes of 20% or greater, a common national standard.
Regularly utilize EPA’s Water Quality Scorecard to assist in assessing regulatory policies and updating policies as needed.
Update cluster zoning requirements to modern day best practices and outline requirements where developers utilizing cluster zoning must gather community input about the utilization, maintenance, and conservation of the open space (greenways, natural areas, horse trails, ball fields, etc.)
Develop incentives that encourage a conservation subdivision approach to future development.
Consider additional policies that encourage tree replacement and planting along with an urban tree canopy cover goal of 40 percent.

Goal 2. Continue with a forum to research, assess, deliberate, and recommend strategies that enhance natural resources while balancing growth and development.

Conduct regular meetings of the Natural Resources Protection Focus Group to identify resources and assess strategies appropriate for Sumner County.

Goal 3. Identify and promote natural resources in Sumner County.

Regularly update information regarding water, forest, cultural, and other resources in the County. Maintain this information in a GIS database.
Promote the economic value and quality of life issues related
Work with property owners of identified natural resources assets on conservation strategies.
Identify additional areas for greenways along streams and within other natural buffers that open access to the general public but also conserve resources with minimal impact.

Goal 4. Increase public access to local natural resources.

Continue development of a County greenway system that links to neighboring counties and municipalities and utilizes stream buffers for open space.
Identify areas of forest and water resources that may be obtained and made open for public access.
Develop a procedural and financial process for acquiring natural resources for public recreation areas.

Current Status

The Sumner County Planning Commission adopted the Comprehensive Plan in July of 2010. The plan will now serve as the guide for future development in Sumner County and help define and set policy for character areas such as open spaces.

Keys to Success

Briggs confesses that the quality of the Sumner County Comprehensive Plan is due in large part to the various organizations involved and that one of its key strengths is the consistent themes, goals and objectives within the region.