Cheatham County commissioners approve resolution opposing rural zoning changes

The Cheatham County Board of Commissioners voted 10-2 April 20 to approve a resolution opposing changes to rural zoning rules, signaling continued resistance to large-scale development proposals in the county.

The resolution states that the county “does not want or need” changes to rural land use or the expansion of commercial development in rural areas, citing the county’s existing growth plan as sufficient under Tennessee law.

District 6 Commissioner Mike Breedlove of Kingston Springs and District 5 Commissioner Diana Pike-Lovell of Pegram cast the two dissenting votes. Breedlove is not seeking re-election, while Lovell is running for a fourth term in August.

The measure was introduced by District 6 Commissioner Jimmy Hedgepath.

"This dog needs to be put to rest," Hedgepath said ahead of the commissioners' vote on the resolution. "Every commissioner sitting around here is tired and wore out, and it's divided the county, cities, communities, neighbors, friends, family."

The vote comes after months of debate over proposed zoning changes tied to a $250 million resort development planned on roughly 560 acres near the Narrows of the Harpeth.

The Cheatham County Planning Commission earlier this month voted to halt discussion of a related zoning amendment that would have allowed rural resort developments.

While the resolution expresses the commission’s opposition to such changes, it does not itself amend the county’s zoning regulations.

"There's a large amount of people out there in South Cheatham that would really like to see something like this come to our county. They see it as a positive thing, and they see it as something that would benefit the county," Breedlove said. "We're not talking about a cement plant or a methane gas plant. We're talking about a rural resort, and it's not going to ruin the Harpeth River."

"I live on the south side too, and I've been there my whole life," Lovell added. "I'd love for it to stay just like it is. But the reality is, it's not going to – growth is coming."

It remains unclear whether or when similar zoning proposals could return for consideration.