Rutherford County, Tennesee

Rutherford growth prompts call to pause home development
By SCOTT BRODEN

MURFREESBORO — Rutherford County needs a six-month pause in home construction to figure out how to deal with growth that is keeping it near the top in Tennessee but is too fast for the county to build schools, roads and provide other services to the newcomers, some planning leaders say.
But the very idea of a building moratorium riled others who say construction provides more jobs and has a bigger effect on the economy here than even the county's largest employer, Nissan.

County planning commissioners asked their lawyer Monday to study whether such a moratorium would be legal, said Jeff Phillips, a member of the commission. That report could be ready by early February.

Phillips said he wants to consider a moratorium because the county needs a vision for the next 20 years. Planning Commission member Bob Farris raised the issue, saying he's worried about crowded roads and paying to build needed schools.

"If we keep building subdivisions, we're not going to have the money to build schools, and it's unfair to children moving here," Farris said.

Developer opposes idea

Local developer Howard Wall was upset when he heard about the moratorium idea.

"It would be economic chaos," Wall said.

"This is absurd. This does not merit discussion on an intellectually honest basis."

No other businesses would even consider moving to the county if a moratorium on residential growth were in place because it sends a strong message, Wall said.

Even a temporary halt of home building would bring "economic devastation" to the building industry and all businesses in the county, he said.
"Economists will tell you construction drives the economy, as opposed to the economy driving construction."

County Commissioner Will Jordan, a member of the Planning Commission, said he opposes any moratorium because it could cost jobs.

"In my opinion, more people work in (construction) than at Nissan," said Jordan, adding that a moratorium also would affect real estate agents, roofers, grass cutters and many more workers.

"I don't think anyone would make a motion to not let Nissan hire people. It would be the same type thing."

Farris, however, said it should not hurt the economy because so many building permits have been approved.

Builders could put up those homes during the moratorium.

Developers are already starting to hold back on construction because the real estate market has slowed, the commissioner added.

County faces big debt

Farris said the county needs to re-examine planning and tax issues because it faces a $243 million debt to build schools in the next few years and has many other infrastructure needs because of growth. The county will end up paying $521 million in debt and interest, he added.

Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne should contribute more to school construction because those cities are approving most of the new homes, he said.
Many people who moved to the county during its 10-year growth spurt are upset about traffic jams on Old Fort Parkway, U.S. Highway 231 and Broad Street, and some are talking about leaving, Farris said.

The County Commission has asked for state approval to double the development tax to $3,000 per new house to help pay some of the growth costs.

Debbie Moore said county leaders should have been dealing with growth issues a long time ago instead of calling for a moratorium.

"Wasn't Rutherford County the fastest-growing county in the nation two years ago?

"And now they're just going to panic on what to do," said Moore, who has three children in Rutherford County schools.