PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE this petition to help save the rural beauty and historic equestrian significance of Brownland Farm close to the intersection of Hillsboro Rd and Mack Hatcher Pkwy in Franklin, TN. A massive development with more than 750 homes and additional commercial properties has been proposed on a footprint of less than 84 acres surrounded by the Harpeth River Floodplain. This type of density will forever ruin the historic, rural landscape and set a dangerous precedent for the future across the remaining pastoral landscapes in Franklin. This farm should be included into a special area plan for the entire West Harpeth region.

The Planning Commission meeting is August 27th and there will be a public hearing. 

Such a densely developed project would also place significant burdens on Franklin’s surrounding roadway, school, water and sewer infrastructures and forever lose the economic benefits from a vital business.

By SIGNING, we are calling on our elected officials of the City of Franklin and the Planning Commission:

• To deny the proposed rezoning of the Brownland property from the current agricultural zoning designation.
• To protect the health, welfare, and safety of current and future residents living in the area of this major floodplain that the developer is proposing to significantly alter and redirect.
• To support the Guiding Principles for Historic Preservation adopted in the City's 2017 Envision Franklin Plan.
• To redo the land use plan, as some Aldermen have already suggested, to preserve and protect the West Harpeth region, the last rural area of the city, that was not addressed in the Envision Franklin planning process.
• To consider the importance to the local economy from the equestrian industry, where TN ranks 4th in the nation in equine population that generates $30 million annually just in Williamson County.  Brownland Farm alone generates $22.8 million for local businesses annually. 

"We urge the City of Franklin and Williamson County to conduct a special planning process for the West Harpeth area to ensure that this crucial region of rural character, agricultural, and historic treasures are protected. Once we lose these treasures, we can never get them back!”

Thank you!