New Features

A draft version of Rutherford County's Comprehensive Plan now available. To view this document, click on the link located at the bottom of this page. We welcome your questions and comments.

Introduction

Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) in association with Regan-Smith Associates, Bill Terry & Associates and the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center has been selected as the consulting team for the project.

The Comprehensive Plan is a major undertaking and will become the policy foundation for all future planning in the unincorporated areas of Rutherford County. A Comprehensive Plan is a means of establishing a long-term community vision by looking 15 to 20 years into the future, determining needs, setting goals and objectives, and formulating policies that direct future development to be consistent with that vision.

Why do we Plan?

The purpose of doing a plan is to ensure an overall quality of life standard be maintained and improved in the future. This is accomplished by identifying the issues the community faces and finding ways to address those issues in the coming years. Planning allows us to take a look at where the community has been, how it got to this point, where it wants to go, and how it can get there. Essentially planning allows a community to prepare for change rather than react to it.

Good planning provides private landowners and developers with a guide that defines where and what type of development that the community desires. This information allows individuals to plan for the purchase and use of property consistent with community goals. By defining a pattern of development, a community can responsibly manage growth, provide infrastructure and services in a timely manner, and protect natural and cultural resources that have environmental and economic benefits.

Listening to the Community

Capturing public input is a critical element in development of the Comprehensive Plan. A variety of methods will be used to ensure the public is heard, that information is being effectively communicated and that plan strategies are thoroughly communicated. Several methods of public involvement are planned and will include stakeholder interviews, focus groups in different areas of the county, Steering Committee meetings, public meetings, updates to the County Planning Commission and plan review by the Rutherford County Commission. Actively engaging the public will be woven into every phase of the planning process.

Staying Connected

This website is only one of several ways to stay involved in the plan. We encourage you to contact any member of the planning staff with ideas or comments. They will be happy to put you in touch with the PB planning team. Please check back for frequent updates.

Documents and Presentations

Future land use scenarios with descriptions (Added June 11, 2010) 
May 18, 2009 Steering Committee Meeting Presentation
Steering Committee and Open House Summary
Existing Conditions Report
Rutherford County's Vision for the Future
Draft version of the Comprehensive Plan (Added November 29, 2010)
Suburban Belt - Adopted Centers and Character Areas Map (Added May 3, 2011)
Rutherford County's Comprehensive Plan (Added June 29, 2011)