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A Cookeville man is concerned plans to rezone property along Bunker Hill Road may increase the number of accidents in the area.
Fred Ray lives along Bunker Hill and says the proposed addition of a new subdivision could create more harm than good.
“The curve that’s on Bunker Hill Road, right at Messenger Road and right at Dustin Lane, [it’s a] very dangerous curve. Over the years I’ve lived there, about 15 years, I’ve seen more than enough issues there,” Ray says. “If there’s going to be an access road there… it’s not going to be a pretty picture.”
Planning Director James Mills says the ordinance presented to Cookeville City Council Thursday will rezone property along Bunker Hill from an RS-10 to an RS-15.
Cookeville City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Thursday rezoning property on the east-side of Bunker Hill Road from RS-10 to RS-15. (Photo: Google Maps)
Ray says there could be a couple solutions to the issue if traffic does in fact increase along Bunker Hill.
“If the city wants to put street lights, have at it. If they want to put speed bumps to slow people down on Bunker Hill Road, great idea,” Ray says, “but that would be a big issue.”
Ray says he’s had to assist multiple drivers who overshot the curve and drove into his or a neighbor’s property in the middle of the night. Ray suggested the city straightening the curve and using some of the rezoned property for the project.
“That could be something that might help, but it probably won’t happen because of the legality,” Ray says. “If one house was built there or two big mansions, they put a private driveway, that’s fine. But with 15-20 homes in that area, it could be an issue.”
City Council unanimously approved the rezoning ordinance on first reading during Thursday evening’s meeting. The second reading will take place Dec. 6.
