20 September 2007 TDR Lectures Next Tuesday, 9/25 Rick Pruetz, a nationally recognized expert on Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and author of Beyond Takings and Givings, has accepted our invitation to provide multiple presentations on September 25. I personally met and heard Mr. Pruetz speak at the American Planning Association conference in San Francisco several years ago. Jaime Groce, City of Franklin Planning Director, and Franklin Tomorrow have been working together to plan the sessions. The overall theme will be Saved By Development: Preserving Natural Areas, Farmland and Landmarks with Transfer of Development Rights.   Rick Pruetz, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has been a planner for 24 years and runs a consulting practice specializing in TDR workshops, studies and ordinances. Transfer of development rights, or TDR, can be thought of as a way of encouraging the reduction or elimination of development in areas that a community wants to save and the increase of development in areas that a community wants to grow.    In 1999, Rick Pruetz began a consulting practice specializing in transfer of development rights and related planning/preservation tools. To date, he has prepared TDR studies and/or ordinances for more than 20 communities including Davis County, Utah, Santa Fe County, New Mexico and Livermore, California. Prior to 1999, he served as the City Planner of Burbank, California for over 14 years and worked as a planner for Waukesha, Wisconsin and Camp Dresser McKee. In addition to the preparation of TDR studies and ordinances, Pruetz has conducted numerous workshops and presentations on TDR throughout the U.S. Tuesday, September 25, from 11:30am to 1:00pm, Mr. Pruetz will be the featured speaker at the Williamson County Chamber Luncheon held at the Cool Springs Marriott. That same afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00pm, Mr. Pruetz will provide a lecture on TDR in the City Hall Boardroom. This lecture will be free and open to the public, with special invitation made to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission. This lecture will be taped for replay on Channel 10. This lecture will be followed immediately at 6:00pm by a BOMA work session, with Mr. Pruetz continuing the TDR discussion with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. On Wednesday, September 26, Mr. Pruetz will be meeting with City of Franklin Department Directors and staff to review and evaluate the report of the TDR Task Force.   This is a great partnering effort for Franklin Tomorrow, the City of Franklin and the Chamber of Commerce to bring valuable information to the business community, elected officials, and the general public on important policy considerations that could help shape our city for years to come. I hope you will mark this date and plan to participate. For more information on Rick Pruetz, check out beyondtakingsandgivings.com. Mayoral Debate Thursday, 9/27 The West Side Coalition is hosting a mayoral debate and a "meet and speech" with the Franklin alderman candidates next Thursday, September 27th from 6:00 - 9:00pm. This will take place at the Westhaven Residents' Club in Townsend Hall, 401 Cheltenham Avenue in Westhaven. The public is invited and welcome to attend.   Transportation Update 1. Last Monday morning, Cool Springs Boulevard extension from Ashton Park to Oxford Glen Drive opened for daily use. 2. On Friday morning, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely officially cut the ribbon to open the I-65 @ McEwen Drive interchange. This is one of the best examples in the State of Tennessee of a local government partnering with TDOT.    3. Southern Land Company, the developers of the McEwen Place Town Center, indicate their schedule for the completion of McEwen Drive from Mallory Lane to Jordan Road will be late September or early October - just a few weeks away. 4. Assistant City Administrator David Parker has received notice from TDOT on approval of plans for McEwen Drive from Carothers Parkway to East Cool Springs Boulevard. Right of Way acquisition can now begin per state procedure guidelines. 5. A public hearing was held last night on the possible placement of a crossing of I-65 at Long Lane. This location is just north of the Peytonsville Road Interchange. Two alternatives were presented: one for bridging the interstate, and one for going under the interstate. Bridging will cause less disruption of traffic flow on the interstate during construction, but going under works better with the existing topography and is less impactful of the area. The option for going under the interstate is preferred by the city and by area residents.