Maury County Approves 10-Month Development Moratorium on County Land

Issue #633

December 24, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 72, low of 56

📰 Maury County Approves 10-Month Development Moratorium on County Land

🎄 Christmas Eve Services in Columbia

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Looking to see some Christmas lights? Check out this list!

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Maury County Approves 10-Month Development Moratorium on County Land

Maury County Commissioners have voted to temporarily pause certain types of development on county-zoned land as they work toward creating a long-term comprehensive land-use plan.

At a special meeting on Dec. 2, the commission approved the moratorium by a 16–4 vote. The pause will remain in effect through Oct. 1, 2026 and is intended to give the county time to determine how growth should be managed in the decades ahead, particularly as leaders evaluate how to protect rural character while planning for continued population increases.

The action comes as other local governments are also reviewing development and infrastructure issues. Earlier this month, Columbia City Council approved an ordinance that would increase Columbia Power & Water Systems water rates beginning in 2026, and the Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen has advanced the first reading of a sewer moratorium tied to treatment capacity concerns.

While the county’s moratorium halts major new development activity, it does not completely stop all building. Applications for subdivisions of five lots or fewer may still be submitted, and developers may continue to move through the permitting process. In addition, properties within city limits are not affected, and roughly 1,000 existing buildable county lots are protected under vested rights.

County officials emphasized that the moratorium is part of a broader planning effort rather than an attempt to permanently restrict growth. In November, the commission adopted a new zoning ordinance for the first time since 1986, and the moratorium is intended to create space to build on that work with a countywide land-use plan.

Building and Zoning Director Robert Caldiraro said the county has issued about 250 building permits per year on average over the past five years. He noted that future planning may allow for greater density near municipalities in an effort to limit sprawl.

Not all commissioners and residents supported the pause. Several speakers at the meeting expressed concern that the moratorium could slow real estate transactions, disrupt local builders, and discourage land sales. Others questioned whether the county could face legal challenges or whether pausing development in unincorporated areas would simply push growth closer to city limits instead of solving the underlying issues.

Supporters countered that the temporary measure is meant to avoid making rushed decisions about the county’s future and to prevent development patterns that could be difficult or costly to reverse. They also pointed out that adjustments to zoning rules remain possible if unforeseen problems arise during the moratorium period.

Christmas Eve Services in Columbia

A Christmas Eve service is a great time to get together with your community, sing some carols, slow down for a bit… and remember the reason for the season. We’ve listed a few churches that are holding services below, although we’re sure there are many more!

The Church at West End
2:00, 3:30, 5:00 PM

The Well Columbia
3:00, 4:00 & 5:30 PM

C3 Church
5:00 PM

Looking to see some Christmas lights afterwards? Check out this list!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, December 24th

Creative Writing Club - 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Thursday, December 25th 🎄 Merry Christmas! 🎄

Friday, December 26th

Saturday, December 27th

Monday, December 29th

Wednesday, December 31st

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, December 26

Austin Byrd - Puckett’s, 6–7:30 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7–9 PM
Zone Status - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, December 27

Neal Pennington - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7 PM
Winter Series - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Eastern Dreamers - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
World Turning Band - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
MFT - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

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