Developer plans 700-acre town

Construction on the Rutherford County portion, which covers 92 acres, is slated to start in spring 2005. Smithson said most of the Rutherford part would not have to be rezoned.

Jennifer Carlat, policy analyst and public information officer for the Metro Planning Department, said the land use policy currently in place for the Davidson County part calls for rural policy.

"We think that they definitely have to get the community involved," Carlat said about efforts to rezone the property to allow more density.

Metro planners will attend the Charrette sessions next week.

A Charrette is an intense work session including public workshops and open houses that last over a period of a few consecutive days and includes all interested parties. The goal is to produce a feasible development plan as the basis for new growth.

Smithson said his company has prepared some preliminary plans to introduce to the public, but hoped for community input.

"[People] know more what they want in their community than we know," he said.

Preliminary proposals include several villages within a five-minute walk from a town center.

"Basically we're starting a brand new community," Smithson said.

The square would house some live-work units with local shops, retail or law/insurance offices, and a grocer. Smithson said walking trails would connect a local park surrounding and preserving the Caruthers Farm silos to Cane Ridge Park, which borders the north side of the property.

"That's part of our plans, leave the silos, put the name on it and clean it up and leave a piece of the history," Smithson said.

Preliminary plans also include the creation of an amphitheater that would offer the neighborhood a venue for community entertainment.

Currently only two roads - Battle and Caruthers roads - are on the land.

Councilman Parker Toler, in whose district 31 the property is located, said he would participate in the Charrette and encourages the community to do so as well. However, he said he has not taken a position on the development yet.

The Charrette is the first part in the development plans and no resolution has been filed to rezone the land yet. Smithson hopes to be able to move forward on the government level in January.