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Planning commission considers private planning consultant, PUD template and code updates; blasting fee passes first reading
Summary
With turnover at GNRC, staff proposed hiring a local or private planning consultant; commissioners reviewed a PUD template adapted from another county, heard that impact‑fee work is near completion, and recorded a first reading approval for a $100 blasting permit fee.
Staff told the Planning Commission that the county's representative at the regional planning group (GNRC) has left and that the commission should consider contracting with a local or private planning consultant to provide steadier, more consistent support for zoning map maintenance and code updates.
Rosalie Donahan (planning staff) presented a proposal from an APA‑certified planner who previously worked with GNRC and manages on‑call planning consultants. Donahan said the consultant reviewed the county's website and is familiar with the region and could update the zoning map and provide ongoing planning services. "She is a certified planner with the APA, and in fact, she did work with GNRC a year or 2 ago," Donahan said.
Commissioners discussed obtaining and comparing proposals from the private engineering firm that had also contacted the mayor and from the contractor Donahan identified. Rick Gregory, a consultant who previously helped with the county's codes and zoning edits, was mentioned as having recommended the planner.
Separately, staff said a Planned Unit Development (PUD) template adapted from Cheatham County and converted to the local "Trialsdale" context will be reviewed by Codes and Zoning and then returned to the commission. The staff presentation noted that a PUD would be an additional zoning classification and could accommodate mixed commercial and residential projects; PUD approval would enable the county to approve a specific development plan rather than assuming a large‑scale multifamily use for large parcels.
Staff also reported that the county's impact fee work is nearly complete and that a blasting permit fee passed first reading. "Blasting fees got approved, first reading, so they'll have a second reading on that. So there's gonna be a hundred dollar fee associated to that permit," staff said; once codified, deputies could enforce permit requirements and judges would handle penalties.
The commission was also told the county will post an office manager position to handle minutes and administrative tasks for the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals; the position will include basic technical skills and bookkeeping requirements.
Commissioners asked that draft code changes developed by Rick Gregory and other consultants be circulated to the Planning Commission for review before being forwarded to the full commission. Staff said it would do so and that commissioners should review materials thoroughly before voting.
Next steps: staff will seek and compare consultant proposals, continue PUD and impact‑fee work through Codes and Zoning, bring draft ordinances back to the Planning Commission for review, and schedule the second reading for the blasting permit fee ordinance.
