Protecting Bell Buckle's history

State planners turned over copies of new subdivision regulations to the Bell Buckle Planning Commission and proposed subdivision guidelines were examined Thursday.

Planners made sure that the new regulations, approved last month, were properly signed off on. The approval of the regulation paves the way for the community to designate its planning commission as a regional planning commission, which requires approval from the county commission and state officials.

Wartrace approved the same action on Monday as they also deal with growth issues.

Commission member Frank Reagor presented the guidelines, which call for all new developments to blend with Bell Buckle's small town atmosphere and present look.

"New development should preserve the natural element retaining the existing trees and preserving the existing natural drainage patterns whenever possible," the proposed guidelines state.

All residential homes would be equipped with a residential fire sprinkler system and all new development would use underground electrical wiring as prescribed by Duck River Electric.

The proposed guidelines also called for designated open space, with subdivision developers required to provide an additional 30 percent of open space over and above the minimum lot size, not including roads.

Permitted open spaces are defined as historically significant sites, public utilities and drainage improvements, parks, parkway areas, walking/jogging and bicycle trails, extensive area with tree cover, and land along rivers and streams or steep hillsides when the areas are extensive and "have natural features worthy of scenic preservation."

Recreation facilities like tennis courts and clubhouses may be permitted if maintenance agreements between the city and the developer can be made. Also, the developer would dedicate "perpetual scenic easements" for undisturbed open space as well as easements for pedestrian and bicycle use.

Landscape design would preserve existing trees and incorporate native new trees and shrubbery, with the theme "aesthetically compatible with that of the surrounding area." Land design concepts would also provide a network of roads, bike paths, and/or sidewalks which "give a strong consideration to the safety of motorists, cyclists, joggers, and walkers."

In other business, after lengthy debate the commission voted to recommend to the city board to install signs stating either "No Outlet" or "Do Not Enter" on one-lane Tillman Lane. The commission had already been informed by the state's Municipal Technical Advisory Service that they could close the road if they wished due to safety concerns.

State planners will also examine a draft ordinance for stormwater detention and floodplain management, which would require grading permits. Concern was expressed that the document did not contain mandatory Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines dealing with floodplains.