The Commercial Appeal

Memphis 3.0 gets approval from board for land use

- Jamie Munks Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK - TENNESSEE

The city of Memphis got a step closer Thursday to officially adopting a “build up, not out” ethos.

The Memphis-shelby Land Use Control Board approved Memphis 3.0, a sweeping plan that sets detailed planning standards and priorities for a city that for decades saw developmen­t sprawl farther and farther from its urban core.

The board’s green light on Thursday was the first step towards city council adoption this year as Memphis begins its third century, which would mark the first comprehens­ive plan adoption for the city since the early 1980s.

Roughly 30 people expressed their support for the new comprehens­ive plan, calling it “forward-thinking” and “a product of the people.”

“We know historic districts will be protected in this plan,” said June West, executive director of Memphis Heritage.

Cities adopt comprehens­ive plans to guide future growth, set land use, design and infrastruc­ture priorities for certain areas and prevent a disorganiz­ed developmen­t landscape.

Carnita Atwater, executive director of the New Chicago Community Developmen­t Corporatio­n, believes the plan is “not inclusive” and will leave some of Memphis’ African-american legacy neighborho­ods behind.

The plan will further prop up parts of the city that are already seeing investment and developmen­t, Atwater said.

“The people at the table are picking the neighborho­ods they want to develop,” she said. “What about neighborho­ods that haven’t received funding for 30 or 40 years?”

Plan names, relies on ‘anchors’

The roughly 400-page document was created over two years, and it was rolled out for public consumptio­n in December. The plan relies on “anchors,” neighborho­ods and activity and job centers that can spur developmen­t in their surroundin­g areas.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland an-

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