GENERAL

The Community Development Department is responsible for coordinating overall city planning, regulating development and zoning, and enforcing codes. The department administers the Subdivision Regulations; Zoning Ordinance; various building, technical and housing codes; laws and ordinances pertaining to various aspects of public health, safety and sanitation; issues permits and performs inspections.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing and approving all residential development plats and commercial site plans, as well as recommending zoning districts and property annexations. The Planning Commission has delegated to City staff the authority to review and approve commercial site plans of fifty thousand (50,000) square feet or less, with the understanding that it reserves the right to review any and all site plans.

The City of Springfield Planning Commission consists of nine (9) members, six (6) of whom are nominated by their respective aldermen to represent their wards for staggered four-year terms. Two (2) of the members serve two-year terms, one of whom is appointed by the Mayor to represent the Planning Region and the other is a member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen appointed by that body. The other member of the Planning Commission is the Mayor or a person at-large appointed by the Mayor to serve a four-year term.

The current members of the Planning Commission are as follows:

The Planning Commission meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room at Springfield City Hall. Agenda items to be considered by the Planning Commission must be submitted thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

The City of Springfield Subdivision Regulations delineate the standards for such concerns as street and road construction, street signs and traffic control, drainage and storm sewers, water and sewer lines and facilities, gas and electric utilities, fire hydrants, sidewalks and driveways, utility easements, public uses, lot requirements, and building setbacks in new subdivisions. The regulations also address procedures for plat review and approval, assurances for completion and maintenance of improvements, and enforcement and penalties for violation.

The City of Springfield Subdivision Regulations may be accessed by returning to the Home Page and clicking on the Subdivision Regulations link. A copy of the Subdivision Regulations may be purchased from the department at a cost of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). The department staff members are always available to answer questions about subdivision regulations and residential development.

The following Subdivision Review Fees have been adopted by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen:

Preliminary Plat $50.00 plus $5.00 per lot
Final Plat $100.00 plus $10.00 per lot
Fee for Rezoning $50.00

ZONING ORDINANCE

The Zoning Ordinance contains the regulations pertinent to each specific type of residential, commercial, and industrial zoning district. The ordinance defines land use classifications and contains regulations for floodplain districts, planned unit development districts, grading and erosion control, and performance standards as well as provisions governing nonconforming uses and non-complying buildings or structures. It also contains supplementary district regulations addressing such things as development standards for multi-family dwellings, mobile home parks, off-street parking and loading, sign regulations, and telecommunications towers and antennas. The ordinance also addresses the application of its regulations, provisions and sections; administration and enforcement; and administrative standards and legal status provisions.

The Zoning Ordinance provides for a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) that hears appeals dealing with zoning matters. The BZA has three (3) main functions: to interpret the zoning ordinance when it is alleged that department staff have made an error, to review special exceptions and to grant special use permits under terms of the ordinance, and to grant variances from specific terms of the ordinance where special conditions are present to warrant such variances.

The Board of Zoning Appeals consists of five (5) members, all of whom must be residents of Springfield. All members of the BZA are nominated by members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and are confirmed by a majority vote. Members of the Board serve for four-year terms.

The current members of the Board of Zoning Appeals are as follows:

The Board of Zoning Appeals meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room at Springfield City Hall. The fee for taking a request to the Board of Zoning Appeals is fifty dollars ($50.00). Items to be reviewed by the BZA must be submitted three (3) weeks prior to the meeting.

The City of Springfield Zoning Ordinance may be accessed by returning to the Home Page and clicking on the Zoning Ordinance link. A copy of the Zoning Ordinance may be purchased from the department at a cost of thirty dollars ($30.00). Department staff members are always available to answer questions about zoning and commercial development.

SPRINGFIELD HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT

The Springfield Historic Preservation District comprises a 20-block residential area in northwest Springfield. The creation of the district was recommended by residents who desired to support and encourage new investment and renovation efforts in the neighborhood. The intent of the district is to preserve the historic sites and structures of Springfield. The requirements of the district are designed to protect and preserve historic and/or architectural value; create an aesthetic atmosphere; strengthen the economy; protect and enhance the city's attractions to tourists and visitors and the support and stimulus to business and industry thereby provided; and promote education and patriotic heritage of the present and future citizens of the community. The inclusion of property within the district is voluntary on the part of homeowners.

The Springfield Historic Preservation Commission has been created to help with the administration and enforcement of regulations within the district. The commission reviews plans for improvements within the district and is charged with the responsibility to issue "certificates of appropriateness".

The commission is comprised of five (5) members appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen each of whom serve for staggered terms of five (5) years. The membership consists of a representative of a local patriotic or historic organization; an architect, if available; a member of the Planning Commission; and two (2) members residing in the Springfield Residential Historic District. All members of the Springfield Historic Preservation Commission shall be resident property owners of the district if possible.

The current members of the Springfield Historic Preservation Commission are as follows:

Meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission are held at the call of the Chairman or by the majority of the membership. All meetings of the commission are announced by public notice and are open to the public. At least three (3) members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The concurring vote of three (3) members of the commission constitutes final action of the commission on any matter before it. Meetings of the commission are held at City Hall.

The ordinance pertaining to the Springfield Historic Preservation District can be accessed by returning to the Home Page and clicking on the link Springfield Municipal Code, then clicking on Title 2 "Boards and Commissions" and scrolling down to Chapter 6 "Historic Preservation Commission".

RECOMMENDED GROWTH PLAN

Public Chapter 1101 passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1998 requires that all cities and counties within the state develop recommended growth plans and create joint economic and community development boards. The recommended growth plan must address the issues of growth policy, annexation, and incorporation. Public Chapter 1101 provides the structures and processes for local governments to cooperatively determine their own future, but did not impose a single statewide solution. The law provides sufficient flexibility so that local governments may tailor their growth plans to suit the unique character of their area.

The law calls for a comprehensive growth policy plan in each county that outlines anticipated development during the next twenty (20) years. The initial draft of the growth plan is formulated by a coordinating committee whose membership is composed of representatives of the county, cities, utilities, schools, chambers of commerce, the soil conservation districts and others. The county and cities may propose boundaries for inclusion in the plan. After the growth plan is developed, the committee conducts public hearings and submits the plan to each city and county for ratification.

The plan identifies three distinct types of areas: (1) "urban growth boundaries" (UGB), regions which contain the corporate limits of a municipality and the adjoining territory where growth is expected; (2) "planned growth areas" (PGA), compact sections outside incorporated municipalities where growth is expected (if there are such areas in the county), and where new incorporations may occur; and (3) "rural areas" (RA), territory not within one of the other two categories which is to be preserved for agriculture, recreation, forest, wildlife, and uses other than high-density commercial or residential development.

The law requires establishment of a joint economic and community development board to foster communications among all sectors of the community. The Robertson County Joint Economic and Community Development Board meets quarterly.

Copies of the Robertson County Recommended Growth Plan, including the growth plan for the City of Springfield, are on file at the City of Springfield Community Development Department and the Robertson County Planning Department. View map of the City of Springfield Urban Growth Boundary

CODE ENFORCEMENT

The following codes have been adopted by the City of Springfield and are enforced by the Community Development Department:

International Building Code, 2003 edition
International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2003 edition
International Mechanical Code, 2003 edition
International Property Maintenance Code, 2003 edition
National Fire Codes, 1999 edition, as adopted by the State of Tennessee
International Fire Code, 2003 edition
International Plumbing Code, 2003 edition
International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 edition

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY REGISTRATION

All owners of residential rental property within the city must register each rental property unit owned or operated within the city. An owner of residential rental property must file a registration application with the Community Development Department within thirty (30) days after assuming ownership or control of the property, or after altering the number or size of rental units at a previously registered property. All property owners must have valid and current certificates of registration for each of their units and all residential rental units must be inspected periodically by the Community Development Department for compliance. All residential rental units must also be in compliance with the property maintenance code.

Residential property registration regulations can be accessed by returning to the Home Page and clicking on Springfield Municipal Code then clicking on Title 12 "Building, Utility, Etc. Codes" and scrolling down to Chapter 10 "Residential Property Regulations".



BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system the installation of which is regulated by code, or to cause any such work to be done, must first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Building permits may be obtained by filing an application with the Community Development Department and paying the required fee.

Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official and such construction of work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.

No building or structure can be used or occupied, and no change in the existing property classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy.

BUILDING PERMIT FEES

The building permit fee schedule is based upon construction value and is as follows:

OTHER PERMIT FEES

The fee for moving any building or structure is $115.00

The fee for the demolition of any building or structure is $57.50

PAVED DRIVEWAYS REQUIRED

All new single-family, two-family or multi-family residential structures must have paved driveways, turn-arounds and parking areas constructed of concrete or hot mix asphalt. A certificate of occupancy will not be issued until a paved driveway in compliance with City code has been constructed.

Sections 12-107 and 12-108 of the Springfield Municipal Code pertain to requirements for paved driveways.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE REGULATIONS

The Community Development Department also enforces property maintenance regulations pertaining to health and sanitation. The department inspects and enforces code violation issues pertaining to high grass, weeds, and rubbish; automobiles remaining unmoved, inoperable and unlicensed for a period of thirty (30) days or more; the location or parking of house trailers and portable buildings; dead animals; stagnant water; smoke, soot, cinders, noxious fumes or gases; and unsanitary conditions.

The City of Springfield Water/Wastewater, Electric, and Gas Departments will not sell or furnish any electricity, water or gas to the owners or occupants of any premises which have been declared a public nuisance and unfit for human habitation by the Community Development Department.

Property maintenance regulations pertaining to health and sanitation can be accessed by going to the Home Page and clicking on the link Springfield Municipal Code and then clicking on Title 13 "Property Maintenance Regulations".

REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF UNSAFE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES

The department is actively involved in pursuing the repair or demolition of buildings and structures that are unsafe or unfit for human occupancy in accordance with the provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2003 edition. A notice of condemnation is posted on all buildings and structures determined to be unsafe or unfit for human occupancy. The occupancy of a building or structure is prohibited until proper repairs to the building or structure make it safe again for occupancy.

A condemned building or structure that is not repaired within the time period specified under code will be ordered to be demolished at the expense of the property owner. If the property owner cannot or will not demolish the property, the City of Springfield will demolish the building or structure at its expense and place a lien against the property.

Any person whose property has been condemned by the Codes Administrator may appeal the decision to the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals within twenty (20) days after the day the decision, notice or order was served. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of the code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of the code do not fully apply, or the requirements of the code are adequately satisfied by other means, or that the strict application of any requirement of the code would cause an undue hardship.

CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS

The Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals has the authority to hear appeals of decisions of the Codes Administrator and other officials designated to administer the technical codes, and to consider variances to those decisions and interpretations. The board consists of nine (9) members each appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for a term of two (2) years.

The board is composed of individuals with knowledge and experience in the technical codes, such a design professionals, contractors or building industry representatives. One of the at-large positions must be a representative from the general public. Positions numbered 1 through 6 each represent one of the wards of the city and are each appointed by the alderman of the respectively numbered ward. Positions numbered 7 through 9 represent the city at-large and are appointed by the Mayor.

Every decision of the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall be upheld with the exception that any interested person or party aggrieved by a decision of the board may appeal to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, provided that written notice to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of such appeal is delivered to the City Recorder within ten (10) days from the date of the decision of the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals. Any decision of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen concerning the appeal shall be final, subject however, to such remedy as any aggrieved person or party might have at law or in equity.

Meetings of the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals are held as necessary.

The current members of the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals are as follows:

ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY BY THE CITY

Property owners desiring to have their properties annexed by the City of Springfield must file a written request for annexation in accordance with the policy set forth in the Robertson County Recommended Growth Plan. The fee for filing an annexation request is fifty dollars ($50.00). The City of Springfield must develop a plan of services for each annexation; and property owners requesting annexation will have to pay the costs for the initial extension of utility lines and services to their properties.

CONTACT

Community Development Department
Springfield City Hall
405 North Main Street
Springfield, Tennessee 37172
Telephone: 615-382-2200
Fax: 615-382-1612
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

George James, Director of Planning
Larry Wooten, Codes Administrator