About Walkers Retreat
Walkers Retreat represents the vision of the Smith family, who have owned hundreds of acres along the eastern corridor of Franklin for nearly 50 years. With 70% of the land designated for open space that will be open to the entire community, Walkers Retreat will foster a sense of freedom, allowing people to breathe, grow and raise their families without feeling crowded. It invites community gatherings, gardens, hiking trails, play areas and quiet corners for reflection – balancing connection and solitude. For those who live near Walkers Retreat, it will bring the benefits of beauty, tranquility and shared values – along with much-needed restaurants, shopping and services – that simply cannot be cultivated in a traditional subdivision.
“We love Williamson County and want to create a place where people can come and live here, and experience it and love it as much as we do.”
Steve Smith
Current Zoning Ordinances
The property being proposed for Walkers Retreat is currently not in the city of Franklin but is part of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) making it eligible to be annexed into the city. Under current county zoning ordinances, approximately 500 homes could be built on the property with no specific open space or infrastructure requirements as would be the case if Walkers Retreat were annexed into Franklin
The result would be a high-quality development but possibly without some of the connectivity and amenities – including some of the commercial components – envisioned by the Smiths and desired by many residents in this area of Franklin and Williamson County.
Let's Talk About It
We understand there are questions, and we want to provide answers. We are excited about this project and what it can do for this part of Williamson County.
The Benefits of Village Green
As defined in the city of Franklin’s Envision Franklin plan, the Village Green concept is intended to provide a wider variety of housing options while also prioritizing the preservation of open space. Diverse options for residential and commercial uses are encouraged within Village Green developments to create a truly unique experience of living in a small village community surrounded by nature.
Village Green requires 70% of a proposed development to be open space. This is a valued amenity and the focal point of Walkers Retreat’s design as it clusters residential and commercial uses around preserved environmental features and identified open spaces. Walkers Retreat will include a network of multi-use trails – accessible and open to the public – that connect to the broader community-wide system of sidewalks and trails. All these features will further Walkers Retreat’s commitment to creating a vibrant community that promotes convenience and connectivity. The vision of the Smith family is that Walkers Retreat will preserve the character and integrity of the area and serve as a beautiful gateway into the city of Franklin.
