Displaying items by tag: townsend community plan

The city of Townsend sits on the northwestern side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is one of the key gateways to the national park, which is the most visited in the country. A land-use planning process is underway at the behest of citizens to preserve the rural and peaceful nature of the town and Tuckaleechee Cove.

Plan organizers set open house to help preserve the Peaceful Side of the Smokies

TOWNSEND — The last 10-year land use and transportation plan for this key gateway to Great Smoky Mountain National Park expired in 2020. Residents and other stakeholders linked to the most-visited national park in the country are concerned about Townsend’s growth and development patterns; city leaders decided to pursue a new plan with a vision, at least, that could be used to help guide city ordinances well into the future. 

The Townsend Community Plan process launched in July and is now in its second phase. It was initiated by the planning and city commissions to help guide land use and other decisions while seeking to preserve Townsend’s unique character and its reputation as the “peaceful side of the Smokies.” 

A Planning Commission steering committee established the nine-member Townsend Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC), comprising a mix of city officials and community volunteers who have diverse backgrounds. At CPAC’s recommendation, the city is now under contract with two consultants, the East Tennessee Development District and the SE Group, which are splitting the work of guiding the community engagement process. 

Now, on the heels of the devastation from Hurricane Helene in river towns throughout the Southern Appalachians, the community can provide their visions for the future of this tourist town along Little River during the second phase of the timeline, which focuses on community engagement.

The consultants will host an open house on Friday, October 18, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Heritage Center Amphitheater. Residents, visitors, national park lovers and other stakeholders are invited to engage in hands-on planning activities to share their vision for Townsend and the greater Tuckaleechee Cove area.