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DESIGN GUIDELINES: SECTION ONE - OVERVIEW

 

CONCEPT

The Tennessee Technology Corridor is a geographic area with a unique environment specifically managed with the principal aim of attraction, expansion, and support of technology-based economic development. The Technology Corridor lends itself to the attraction of high technology development as a result of a number of conditions beyond the strong technical base already in place. These include: good arterial highway access, infrastructure availability, undeveloped pastoral lands, developed business parks, and the physical attractiveness of the varied natural conditions which contribute to a low-density natural setting.

Complemented by existing technology-based companies and business users, institutional support uses, as well as a number of economic development/management organizations, the Technology Corridor offers an atmosphere conducive to high technology development and other compatible professional business users.

POLICIES

The Tennessee Technology Corridor concept is based upon the ability to achieve aesthetic quality and environmental conservation during site development within the Technology Corridor. This requires recognition of key policies which guide the development process. These policies are intended to serve as general design criteria during the site planning review process:

· Maintain a high-quality natural and man-made environment.

· Ensure a high-quality, campus-like setting conducive to the needs of high technology users.

· Create a sense of place and identity as a technology corridor.

· Respond to, utilize, and enhance the natural systems within the corridor to promote an open space system.

· Build on the existing circulation system to develop a comprehensive network capable of serving the high technology user.

· Complement and improve on the infrastructure available within the Corridor.

· Provide a variety of sites consistent with the needs of the technology user.

· Maintain overall visual quality and continuity within the Technology Corridor.

· Minimize the adverse environmental effects of development.

· Serve as a center for both large- and small-scale technology development.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

The purpose of these design guidelines is to shape future development and to ensure quality in the development process. By building on existing assets, the guidelines attempt to achieve functional, aesthetic, and visual unity, while maintaining individual user expression. A balanced approach which achieves both unity and flexibility in the design/development process is key in the implementation of the design guidelines.

It is intended that these guidelines be uniformly applied to all types of new or altered development. Exceptions to the above are agricultural and residential uses in Agricultural or Residential zones which are excluded by enabling legislation. Waivers to the design guidelines may be granted by the Tennessee Technology Corridor Development Authority when in its opinion, strict application would be infeasible and the objectives of the Authority and the general public health, safety, and welfare would not be adversely affected. The criteria for the issuance of waivers may be such factors as unique site configurations and features, building construction considerations, and parcels of one acre or less which were created prior to the enactment of the design guidelines. Financial hardships, as a single criteria, are not considered just reasons for the issuance of waivers.