Tennessee Valley Regioal Growth Coordination Plan

The purpose of this task is to evaluate the impacts of current land uses and projected development patterns in the primary study area and how these could impact the operations and mission of Redstone Arsenal. The Consultant Team will assess business parks and office facilities supporting Redstone Arsenal contractors. Zoning laws, or the lack thereof, in unincorporated areas will also be evaluated. Conversely, we will evaluate the potential impacts of development at the Arsenal on the surrounding area. This aspect may be more difficult to accomplish due to changes in Arsenal operations in the future that are currently unknown or classified. This task is a relatively small portion (2%) of the overall proposal, but provides an important foundation for other aspects of this project.

The Consultant Team will submit to the Project Director and Advisory Committee a request for all available materials related to current and projected land use patterns, policies and plans in the primary study area. Upon receipt and review of this material, we will identify additional information that will be useful for this task. Working with planning officials from the primary study area, we will obtain the necessary information and take the necessary steps to secure it. All of this information will be supplemented through interviews with selected economic development officials, real estate brokers and developers. These interviews will entail questions regarding the likely development trends and their locations for the future. Additionally, the appropriate officials at Redstone Arsenal will also be interviewed regarding changes they foresee in land use and/or operations that may have an impact on the surrounding area. Using information from this analysis, the Consultant Team will prepare recommendations relevant to sensible growth development principles and initiatives, compatible land uses, and regional teamwork in managing future land uses so that each of these serve the needs of both the communities and residents of the area and Redstone Arsenal.

A draft report summarizing all pertinent findings related to the primary study area’s current land use trends and probable development patterns will be submitted within three months of the notice to proceed. This analysis will pay particular attention to balancing the needs and desires of the region’s residents who live in close proximity to Redstone Arsenal as well as the needs of the Arsenal itself.

A final report taking into consideration comments from appropriate project committees. This report will be submitted within six months of the notice to proceed and will include recommended policies deemed necessary to ensure the most effective growth management around Redstone Arsenal and to support growth at the Arsenal. The report will reflect work conducted under several other related tasks included in this proposal, particularly those regarding regional infrastructure and public services/facilities.