Portland City Council Advances Preserving Portland Comprehensive Plan

The Portland City Council has taken a significant step forward by approving the Preserving Portland comprehensive plan on its first reading during the September 15 meeting.

This landmark initiative marks the city's inaugural comprehensive plan, aiming to establish a unified vision for Portland's growth, encompassing public agencies, residents, employers, developers, and other stakeholders.

Initiated in 2023, the plan has undergone extensive public engagement, including multiple community meetings to gather input. The draft plan is accessible online for public review.

Jessica Hill from the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC), which collaborated on the plan's development, presented its history to the council. She highlighted that the plan projects a 20% population increase by 2045, growing from just over 14,000 residents in 2020 to an estimated 17,400.

Mayor Mike Callis commended the efforts of the GNRC and city staff, emphasizing the plan's importance for guiding future decisions by the Planning Commission and city officials.

The plan requires a second reading and a public hearing before it can be enacted. Vice Mayor Megann Thompson requested additional information on the plan's implementation and potential amendments for projects that may not align precisely with the current vision.

In other council actions, the proposed Woods Road Planned Urban Development (PUD) received second reading approval. The 43.57-acre development will feature 86 single-family lots and 18 townhomes. The developer agreed to all-masonry construction and committed $20,000 contributions to both the parks system and first responders.

An annexation of approximately 37.7 acres on Woods Road, along with a Plan of Services for the property, was also approved.

Additionally, a proposed PUD on just over two acres bordering Highway 52 to the north and Fowler Ford Road to the south received first reading approval. This development will consist of 13 townhomes. Developers incorporated changes requested by the council and Planning Commission, including building setbacks and 19 additional parking spaces.

Alderman Charles Cole, a resident of Fowler Ford Road, noted community opposition to the project and inquired about measures to prevent cut-through traffic. The developer indicated that multiple speed bumps would be installed to deter external traffic.

The council also approved rezoning approximately one acre on Jackson Road from Medium Density Residential to General Commercial to bring the property, owned by Cumberland Electric, into zoning compliance.

Furthermore, the council accepted a bid from Perdue Trucking & Excavating for $498,707 to remove the Richland Park Lift Station on Jim Courtney Road, complete sewer point repair projects, and work towards compliance with a consent order issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Utilities Director Bryan Price reported that sewer point repairs would be conducted on North Street and South Russell, where clay pipes are deteriorating.

A change order increase of $251,903.47 for Phase 2 of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion was also approved to replace a blower package and add clamp-on flow meters at the plant.

The council's next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6.