After months of debate on revisions to the Williamson2040 land use plan, the Williamson County Board of Commissioners voted, 22-1, to endorse the staff-recommended plan.
Commissioner Bert Chalfant, 7th District, voted against, while commissioner Robbie Beal, 10th District, was absent.
The planning commission will vote on the plan's policies on Thursday. A separate zoning plan will be devised at a later date.
Residents were visibly divided as they sat on opposite sides of the auditorium with an aisle in-between separating two choices: "town and country" proposed zoning option, or one unit per five acres, or the "business as usual" option, or one unit per one acre.
Residents on the left side of the auditorium held signs that read, "Don't Devalue My Property," while residents on the right side held signs stating their preference "Town and Country," to curb growth and preserve green space.
The town and country option would change the current land use plan from one home per one acre zoning to one home per five acre zoning, which many call down-zoning.
Property values under scrutiny
Property owners against the new down-zoning option argued that their property values were at stake.
Mirroring the last land use plan revision in 2007, landowners came out in droves at the last minute to voice their discontent with the "town and country" option, which they say will decrease their property value.
Almost a dozen longtime Williamson County farming families spoke for and against both sides of the issue.
Citizens divided on land use plan
Williamson County Association of Realtors board president Jordan Vaughn said he believes the one to five option could decrease property values, supporting the concerned landowners.
However, land preservationists, including Bob Peterman, argued that land values may or may not go down but suburban sprawl would continue with the one to one option.
According to Peterman, over 1,500 supporters had signed a petition for town and country, which would "help control Williamson County's growth and protect our landscape, quality of life, and economic integrity."
Other landowners, including as DeLacy Bellenfant, said they would lose money through down-zoning.
"We are asking you to slow down this vote ... it will hurt me tremendously. I have already had a survey done, and it will cost me money," said Bellenfant, whose family has lived in Williamson County for 200 years.
Longtime farmer Perry Osburn, whose family has lived in the county since 1805 said his "roots run deep" and he wants to preserve the county's rolling hills.
"We support the town and country concept," he said.
"I reject the idea that property values will go down with RD-1. I think they will go up dramatically. We don't need any more gridlock or congestion or decentralized septic systems."
Landowner Clay Crowell of College Grove said he is disappointed in the vote.
"It's going to cost us. We have property for sale."
Commissioners concerned about uncontrolled growth
Commissioner Gregg Lawrence, 4th District, who supports town and country said infrastructure was a major deciding factor in his vote.
"Does it make sense to keep building on these county roads? Putting more homes out there will only make it worse," Lawrence said.
"We have $13.6 million in our road fund, and we are in a $140 million deficit in infrastructure costs."
Commissioner Matt Williams, 9th District, said Monday is when the "rubber meets the road."
"This is a pivotal juncture in how we shape our county," Williams, who voted town and country, said.
"And at end of day, we will be glad to do the right thing to bring that growth curve down.”
The Williamson County Regional Planning Commission will vote on the policies outlined in the Williamson 2040 land use plan on Thursday.
This is a developing story.
Kerri Bartlett covers issues affecting Williamson County.
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Williamson County Commission votes to endorse Williamson 2040 land use plan - Tennessean
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