Residents urge Cheatham County to reject rural-resort zoning amendment for Bell's Reserve
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Summary
At a Cheatham County Commission workshop, multiple residents opposed a proposed rural-resort zoning amendment and the Bell's Reserve project, citing late-night noise, potential harm to the Narrows of the Harpeth and a statewide developer footprint; supporters countered with projected tax and tourism revenue.
Dozens of residents told the Cheatham County Commission on April 13 that a proposed rural-resort zoning amendment and the Bell's Reserve project do not belong near existing homes, farms and the Narrows of the Harpeth State Park.
"There was a party out there that lasted till 2 a.m., and there was loud music until 1:30 a.m. — we could hear it inside our house," Jeremy Whitaker said, identifying himself as a nearby resident, and adding that organizers have collected "over 3,300 signatures in opposition to this resort concept." Whitaker said the event violated the county noise ordinance and left his children unable to sleep.
Several other speakers echoed Whitaker. "The time has come where you have an opportunity to show Cheatham County residents that their voices and upholding our approved growth plan matter more than catering to an outside developer," Linda Ryder told commissioners. Harrison Hart warned the proposal could harm riverbank ecology and outdoor recreation, saying it risked converting river access for kayakers and fishermen into developed shoreline.
Not all public commenters opposed the concept. A Kingston Springs resident who served on that city's planning body urged commissioners to consider a rural-resort planned unit development (PUD) as a controlled form of development, saying such PUDs can include larger setbacks, noise regulations and low rooftop density. That speaker and others cited preliminary economic figures — for example, a supporter argued the project could generate both hotel and sales tax revenues in addition to property tax — and urged the commission not to preclude discussion of the project.
Commissioners added a resolution on proposed amendments to the county zoning resolution to next Monday's agenda; staff and the planning body will have the opportunity to present language and factual analyses at the regular meeting. No formal vote on the Bell's Reserve zoning amendment occurred at the workshop.
Why it matters: The item would change allowable uses in parts of rural Cheatham County and has drawn strong public response from both residents who live near the proposed site and residents who favor economic development. The commission's decision on whether to accept, modify or reject proposed zoning amendments will determine whether the project can be considered by planning staff and placed on a future agenda for a formal vote.
What’s next: The resolution will appear on the commission meeting agenda the following Monday. Planning staff, GNRC (the regional council), and county departments will be the next sources of formal analysis if the board chooses to advance or amend the proposal.
