Planning commission adopts ‘Plan Rutherford’ comprehensive plan, forwards it to county commission

The Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission adopted the county’s updated comprehensive plan, titled Plan Rutherford, at its Sept. 8 meeting and directed staff to forward the adopted plan and a resolution to the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners for consideration.

Planning Director Doug Mosse summarized the multi-year process, noting several public and steering-committee meetings and multiple work sessions. He thanked the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) staff — including Executive Director Michael Skipper and planner Jessica Hill — and steering-committee members for their work. The commission received a letter from steering-committee chair Rhonda Allen, which Chair Reed read aloud. Allen’s remarks stressed the plan’s role as a long-term framework for managing growth and recommended continued updates to subdivision regulations, zoning ordinances and the major thoroughfare plan.

Commissioner discussion focused on the plan’s role as a framework rather than a final set of regulations; staff emphasized that adoption begins a process of implementing changes identified in the plan. The commission read a resolution that cites Tennessee Code Annotated §13-3-301 and adopts Plan Rutherford and its maps as the county’s comprehensive plan, superseding the 2011 plan. Members voted to adopt the plan and transmit it to the Board of Commissioners; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Staff noted that adoption by the planning commission is a step in the process and that the plan will be posted as the official document on county websites. The staff also reminded commissioners of upcoming training opportunities through the Tennessee chapter of the American Planning Association.