Rural resort zoning discussion returns to Planning Commission agenda
After a six-week hiatus, Cheatham County’s Planning Commission revisited the idea of creating a “Rural Resort District” at its Dec. 4 meeting. The discussion lasted about 45 minutes and involved a review of a draft zoning amendment prepared by the Greater Nashville Regional Council. Michael Hayes, CEO of C.B. Ragland, and several members of his team were present for the discussion.
Hayes – a Nashville developer – had previously submitted a proposal to change the county’s zoning laws for rural resorts after setting his sights on 560 acres near the Narrows of the Harpeth for a $250 million resort. The Planning Commission voted in October to deny Hayes’ amendment and it was pulled from the County Commission’s agenda. Hayes' project has drawn strong resistance.
The new proposal for a “Rural Resort District” would allow “low-density, mixed-use developments” on rural land, including commercial amenities such as restaurants, recreational facilities and hotels, alongside permanent and semi-permanent residential units. Developers would also be required to dedicate 30% of the land to open space and comply with standards for setbacks, landscaping, stormwater management and traffic access. The new amendment requires that rural resorts must be on at least 40 acres.
Planning Commission members described the draft as a way to allow tourism- and agriculture-oriented developments while maintaining the county’s rural character. Commissioners discussed project size limits, spacing between buildings, permitted uses and access points to public roads. They emphasized the need for low-density projects that would not overburden local infrastructure, schools or utilities.
During the discussion, commissioners were presented with examples of similar rural resorts elsewhere in Tennessee to provide context on scale and design. These included:
- Windy Hills Preserve in East Tennessee, 650 acres
- Southall in Franklin, 450 acres
- Troubadour Golf in Williamson County, 860 acres
- Blackberry Farm in East Tennessee, 4,200 acres
- Ancient Lore Village in East Tennessee, 70 acres
No vote was taken on the draft amendment. Members decided to continue discussion at their next meeting on Jan. 8, giving them more time to review the proposed Rural Resort District and its potential impact on the county.
The Planning Commission meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the General Sessions Courthouse in Ashland City.
Data centers added to county zoning discussion
Separately during its Dec. 4 meeting, the Planning Commission spent about five minutes discussing data centers. Commissioners unanimously approved adding data centers to the list of extensive impact facilities in the county zoning resolution, limiting them to areas zoned for industrial (I2 and I3).
Local Attorney Bill Herbert, who represented local homeowners in opposition to the TVA’s proposed generation site on Lockertsville Road, presented the amendment. He said the amendment gives the county the ability to regulate private data centers, which require significant electricity, in areas where they are appropriate.
The amendment will now go before the full Cheatham County Commission for discussion at its workshop on Dec. 8 and a vote at the regular meeting on Dec. 15, both at the Cheatham County Courthouse at 6 p.m.
