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Cookeville Planning Commission approved the rezoning of Bob’s Body Shop property Monday night after the action was tabled last month.
Owner Bill Grogan said that while he originally planned to use the rezoning to construct a customizable automotive paint business on the Highway 70 property, that venture was no longer his intention.
“We decided to go a different direction,” Grogan said. “We’re going to sell the property as one unit, all three lots together and we’re going to try to locate a building to operate out of. Hopefully in the county, but we’ll just see from that.”
The rezoning request faced much backlash from the community at last month’s planning commission, most of whom cited environmental concerns that could come from such a business. Residents stated that the former salvage yard had long been considered an eyesore and that they were concerned that the number of car parts they find on their property could increase.
Grogan said that last month’s backlash did not influence his decision to go a different route. However, he said he hoped neighbors would be pleased with the decision.
Planning Director Jon Ward said that the Planning Department’s analysis provided that the non-conforming use of the property was protected by state code. He said that the city attorney also concurred with the analysis.
“Mr. Grogan met with Planning Department staff since our last meeting and he indicates he no longer plans to construct an automobile customization shop on the subject property,” Ward said. “Mr. Grogan does want to move forward with the rezoning. He plans to remove the remaining remnants of the auto salvage yard and market the property for sale.”
The almost two acres of land at 14 and 18 Hunter Avenue and 684 Broad Street was rezoned from RS-10, single-family residential to CL, local commercial.
