Land Use

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MauryMiller.com

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Susan T. Miller

MillerAngles.com

LAND USE

Developing with the land . . .

My wife, Susan, and I developed the first environmentally friendly property development on the Western Highland Rim in Middle Tennessee, “POPLAR COOMB.” POPLAR COOMB is a single family residential development located in Bon Aqua, Tennessee. Careful attention was given to preserving the beautiful and stately hardwood trees located on the lots, allowing only minimal lot clearing to site the house and yard. Ninety percent of the homes at POPLAR COOMB are custom built. The large yard trees and the individuality of the homes give POPLAR COOMB that “old time neighborhood feel” and make it a desirable place to live and rear a family or enjoy retirement years. And one of the best parts is that you can easily find your home because it doesn’t look like everyone else’s ! ! !

So o o o o o o o o o . . .

What do you want to do with your dirt?

Homes? Offices? Land restoration?

Land Use Consulting is a service I offer. If you are clueless about how to begin and where to place your structures on your land, maybe I could help.

When land use consulting, I meet with you and ask questions about how you want to use your land. I discuss pros and cons with special consideration given to the lay of the land, proximity to streams and water sources, historical aspects, farm or forestry features or the possibility of having or restoring such features. Natural character of the land is considered along with its protection and enhancement.

Sometimes a piece of land had a former “life” as an American Indian site. It may show evidence of past temple mounds or burial mounds, etc. Such aspects directly affect the use of the land according to State law. My archaeological knowledge and training have equipped me to recognize land features that reveal its former “life.”

If what you want to accomplish is possible for your land, I will work with you and the land to help your dream become reality.

What about training? . . .

As a Land Use Consultant, I use my degree in Earth Science and History, experience as a property developer, and certification and designation as former Watershed Coordinator for West and Middle Tennessee through the Southeast Watershed Forum. As a former Southeast Watershed Forum Certified Trainer I have training in watershed protection, site design, conflict resolution and consensus facilitation.

I also trained in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). I did not become LEED Accredited because I do not agree with every aspect and requirement necessary for a project to become LEED Certified. I know the different aspects that LEED Designers want in their projects, but about half their requirements afford no real benefit.

I have been a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and am familiar with USGBC standards and practices. I do not apply USGBC building and development practices when other building practices achieve the same desired result while following a different — and ofttimes more cost effective — means to the end.

The Maury Miller approach to land use . . .

My approach to land use is environmentally conservative without espousing radical and unreasonable, unnecessary constrictions on the land. I approach land use the way my agriculturalist grandfather did ― he used horse sense (common sense to all you city folks). The following quote describes my grandfather’s and my approach to land use:

“Horse sense is that sense

Which all other sense without that sense

Is nonsense.”

Unknown

▪Work with the land and not against it.

• Consider preservation of the environment in any development.

• Make the best effort to ensure the least amount of detrimental impact occurs.

• Apply alternative rural design principles where possible ― cluster and open space concepts.

• Strive to be sensitive to the topography.

- Maury Miller III

Paleo

Archaic