Dunnavant Valley residents to weigh in on area plan

The Shelby County Department of Development Services will hold its second Community Workshop on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the Mt Laurel Elementary School Cafeteria. The workshop is the next step of public planning for the Dunnavant Valley Small Area Plan process.

The November workshop will focus on top issues in the Dunnavant Valley community as selected by the public during the first community workshop. These include: improving pedestrian and cyclist safety and reducing speeding along County Road 41; improving police response times and increasing residential participation in law enforcement; and preserving the rural character of the Dunnavant Valley.

Erick Womack, senior planner with the Department of Development Services, said pedestrian and cyclist safety was the top priority for the 64 Dunnavant Valley residents who attended the first workshop. In November, residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on accommodating cyclists and providing safe pedestrian routes and crossings on County Road 41.

“The strategies mentioned are to complete the Dunnavant Valley Community Greenway Phases II & III from the trailhead on County Road 41 to Villas Belvedere, commence a study to determine the ideal route from Villas Belvedere north into the Dunnavant Community, construct bike lanes from US 280 to State Route 25, install ‘Share the Road’ signs along County Road 41, and install zebra crossings with flashing warning lights with or without raised crosswalks,” he said.

Womack also said planning strategies include enhancement of police presence through increased patrols, location of a manned Shelby County Sheriff’s Department substation in the valley, placement of unmanned patrol cars to deter speeders, and commencement of neighborhood watch programs.

Additional objectives outlined are to preserve mountain ridge tops and natural viewscapes, manage wildflowers and other native species, reduce signs in the rights of way, and maintain County Road 41 as a two-lane rural road. Womack said strategies include development of ridge top development regulations, establishment of “Adopt a Mile” programs along County Road 41 and State Route 25, promotion of the growth of native wildflowers in the rights of way and encouraging private property owners to place lands in preservation trusts or provide conservation easements.

 At the workshop, the public will be allowed to add any additional objectives and strategies regarding the plan, which is being performed in-house by county planners in the Department of Development Services. Womack said no outside funding will be used during this process, and the work will be conducted using the department’s normal fiscal year budget.

For more, follow the progress of the plan on the Development Services departmental page on the County’s website at shelbyal.com.