The city of Spring Hill is endeavoring to rewrite the entire zoning ordinance in what it has deemed the Unified Development Code (UDC). The initial UDC draft is now available for review and feedback to aid our local leadership in deciding what the citizens truly want going forward as it relates to development, zoning, signage, landscaping, lighting, and much more.  This is our collective chance to, as Lloyd Christmas said, “totally redeem ourselves” and provide meaningful feedback that can have lasting impact.  Our city is asking and now it’s up to us as business owners and citizens to tell them what we think. The UDC is an extensive document which may require you to engage in the process in person and give of your time to provide feedback. But, I promise you that if you take the time to participate, you will not regret it. There is an unmatched sense of satisfaction that comes with participating in your community in a lasting and meaningful way. I highly encourage you to seek it out and act on it.

Article 12 of the UDC document details signage permissions, and I believe it has the most direct application to the business community.  If you’ve been around Spring Hill very long at all or are a local business owner of a brick-and-mortar location then I don’t have to tell you how challenging it is to gain visibility with the already existing strict signage rules in place as well as the limited signage advertising options available.  I’ve had countless conversations with business owners over the years where they complained about their struggle to get noticed with the existing signage rules. Again, this is your chance to have a direct conversation with the very people that can do something about your visibility woes. I would encourage every business owner in Spring Hill to read the UDC draft and make it to one of the three Open House feedback sessions. Yes, you are busy and have plenty to do, but think of this as an investment in your business’s future growth and opportunity.

So now comes the time for action. First, read as much of the UDC document as you can bear. Second, reach out to our local elected officials and planning commissioners to ask questions. Lastly, and this is VERY important, attend one of the three Open House feedback sessions and speak up about your opinion. You do not need to attend all three, just one. Yes, it will take time, but in the end it will be worth it knowing you have contributed in a constructive way to the future of our community. At the very least, you can say with complete confidence, that you cared enough to be involved.

Please visit the City of Spring Hill UDC website for additional information.  

Open Houses will be held in the Courtroom at Spring Hill City Hall (199 Town Center Parkway), and are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 8:      5:30pm to 8:30pm; presentations at 6:00pm and 7:30pm
Friday, Feb. 9:      7:30am to 1:00pm; presentations at 8:00am and Noon
Saturday, Feb. 10:      9:00am to Noon; presentation at 10:00am

Author Ike Wingate is a board member of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce and the President of Wingate Media Group located in Spring Hill, TN.