Cookeville Could Restrict Certain Businesses from East 10th Development

Cookeville City Council members will consider restricting certain types of businesses from a proposed development site on East 10th Street.

Planning Director James Mills says the biggest concern is not knowing what businesses plan to move to that area if approved by council.

“Part of the requirements of the PCD (Planned Commercial Development) District is to limit or restrict how property can be used,” Mills says. “The council and/or the planning commission can limit the specific uses of the properties. In this case, we know that one of the uses is a grocery store, but the others aren’t specified.”

The proposed ordinance would pave the way for a new retail site at East 10th and Old Kentucky Road. City officials discussed the ordinance ahead of Thursday’s public hearing.

Mills says several citizens have expressed their concerns over the possibility of some businesses having a negative impact on the community.

“There’s some concern that it’s open-ended, and I think it’s appropriate and the council discussed it tonight,” Mills says, “about establishing specific restrictions on some uses that might be objected by the neighborhood. For example, adult establishments or nightclubs. I think we would support the council specifically restricting or prohibiting some of those uses on the property.”

Council members will consider the ordinance Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. during the City Council meeting.