DUANE SHERRILLEditor

The path seems clear for the passage on second reading of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan Monday night by the Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen after the Planning Commission made some requested changes to the document and sent it back up for ratification.

Director of Planning and Development Samuel Luthi told the planning commission that the 2045 Plan was presented to the BoMA earlier this month where it was approved on the first of two readings required for passage. Some aldermen; however, did have some recommendation on a tweaking of the document before second reading. Luthi pointed out the wording of the comprehensive plan is under the purview of the planning commission therefore it is up to them as to whether they want to honor the request for the minor changes by BoMA.

The one request that the planning commission received was from Alderman Matthew Bird and the Tullahoma Tree Board asking that a heat map survey that suggests areas where tree planting and shade trees are needed be included in the document.

“I feel like it is an important inclusion,” Luthi offered. “It would be wasteful in my opinion not to include the expensive research that was done.”

Luthi said the map is an important asset in pointing to areas where tree-planting initiatives would be beneficial to the city.

The modification and the 2045 Comprehensive Plan was unanimously ratified by the planning commission and sent back to the board of mayor and aldermen.

The document arriving on the eve of passage comes following a long journey that began with what was the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. That plan ended up drawing controversy and it was voted down by the former city board. The plan was then modified and a committee spent many hours hammering out that 2045 Plan which will go before the board Monday night. Unlike the 2040 Plan, there was very little public stirring once the planning commission and BoMA began its votes on the plan.

According to the description of the document as presented to BoMA, Comprehensive Plans are called “comprehensive” because they address a broad range of community planning issues. Issues that are typically addressed include land uses, development form and character, mobility, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resource preservation, parks and recreation, infrastructure, and similar issues. The Plan’s intent is as follows: “The comprehensive development plan will serve as the guiding document for growth and development regarding land use, zoning, utility capacity and construction, economic development, traffic management, recreation, capital budgeting, provision of municipal services and facilities, housing, and community engagement.”