Franklin Advances Poplars Reserve Annexation; Brentwood Moves on Crews Subdivision and a 40% Green Space Rule

Williamson County's planning calendar just got busy. Two development votes in late July head to public hearings in August, and together they say a lot about how new housing gets added here.

What is Poplars Reserve in Franklin?

On July 23 the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a plan of services and annexation request for Poplars Reserve. The proposal annexes five properties totaling 22.78 acres north of Clovercroft Road and east of Oxford Glen Drive for a 41-unit residential development. If the Board of Mayor and Aldermen signs off, the land would be rezoned to Planned District and built under Franklin's Mixed Residential Design Concept — a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes and multiplexes on walkable streets with preserved natural features. The public hearing on annexation and rezoning is set for the board's Aug. 11 meeting.

What is the Crews subdivision in Brentwood?

The Brentwood City Commission unanimously approved first reading of an annexation and rezoning request for the proposed Crews subdivision on July 13. It brings in more than 76 acres west of Hillsboro Road and south of Old Hickory Boulevard — 53 acres zoned Open Space Residential Development, 24 acres Suburban Residential held as a reserve lot. The plan is 25 lots and 32 acres of planned green space. No residents spoke at the June 22 public hearing. Next steps: Planning Commission review Aug. 3, public hearing before the City Commission Aug. 10, second and final reading Aug. 24.

Brentwood's 40% green space requirement

Brentwood commissioners also advanced a zoning ordinance revision establishing a minimum 40% green space for all new developments in the Agricultural Residential Estate, Large Lot Residential and Suburban Residential districts. Approved on first reading June 8, no residents spoke at the July hearing.

What does this mean for Williamson County home values?

Note the scale: 41 units on 22.78 acres in Franklin, 25 lots on 76 acres in Brentwood. Williamson County is adding housing in dozens of units, not hundreds, with more land locked up as green space. That is the structural reason prices here stay high — supply is deliberately constrained.

Is August a good time to buy in Franklin or Brentwood?

Yes — better than spring. Schools are back, relocation season is winding down, and inventory has stabilized after years of shortage. Competition thins while motivated sellers stay on the market, which is why late summer is usually the strongest negotiating window of the year in Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville and Spring Hill.

The move-up problem

Most Williamson County owners sitting on equity are stuck on the same question: how do you buy the next house before selling this one, without making a contingent offer no seller will take? There is a third option — buy first with a guaranteed-sale backstop on the home you are leaving.* In a market with real inventory to choose from, that structure is worth more than it was 18 months ago.

Sources: Franklin Municipal Planning Commission, July 23, 2026 and Brentwood City Commission, July 13, 2026 (Williamson Herald, July 16 and July 30, 2026); local MLS closed sales, Franklin, June 2026; independent home value index as of 6/30/2026.

*Tracy and seller must agree on price and possession date