HOUSING AND ZONING La Vergne’s approach to residential development points to a strategic balance between growth management and housing diversity. As the city’s population continues to surge, having increased by over 110% since 2000, officials are implementing comprehensive zoning updates to ensure sustainable expansion while maintaining community character. “We’re currently working through our zoning ordinance update, which is expected to be voted out of the planning commission next month and reviewed by our board of mayor and aldermen this summer,” says Mayor Cole. “It updates our zoning ordinance and zoning map to align with the current vision for the city, determining where there will be high-density areas versus lower-density homes.” This planning process is particularly significant given La Vergne’s housing market dynamics. The city hosts Lake Forest Estates, Tennessee’s largest subdivision with over 3,100 homes. Recent data indicates that 42.3% of La Vergne’s total housing units were built after 2000, highlighting the city’s relatively new housing stock compared to many surrounding communities. Mayor Cole emphasizes that La Vergne has intentionally cultivated residential diversity.“We’re a pretty good cross-section right now. We have singlefamily homes, large-tract homes, some apartment complexes, and townhomes,” he notes. This variety supports the city’s socioeconomic diversity, with housing options spanning multiple price points and lifestyles. The updated zoning plan aims to accommodate projected growth while preserving neighborhood integrity. Demographic trends suggest this approach is well-timed—the median age of La Vergne residents is just 32.3 years, significantly younger than the national average, indicating a population likely to form new households in coming years. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 LA VERGNE, TN
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