News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Planning Commission gave conditional approval for the preliminary plat for 128 lots off of East Spring Street.
The developer has indicated he will perform a traffic study for the 9-acre plat near East Hudgens Street. Chair Jim Woodford said that the development brings traffic concerns.
“On the construction of this project, the fact that East Spring Street has been graded F in the past by T-DOT and the addition of 128 residences concern me about the traffic,” Woodford said. “And whether or not we’re going to have to have a right turn dedicated to this project.”
Woodford said creating a right-turn lane could be a costly endeavor, and something the developer should keep in mind. Planning Director Jon Ward said if the study brings back any significant changes to the plat, it would come back before the commission. Commissioner Kay Starkweather also voiced similar concerns. She voted against the approval.
Ward said the property is in a sinkhole retention area (SRA) and requires special approval of the planning commission based on a recommendation from the Public Works Department. The developer must submit to the Planning Commission and the Public Works Department proof the development is able to mitigate any possible inundation.
“Based on the plat, the proposed detention ponds that encroach on the SRA will most likely provide enough volume offset to mitigate the encroachment of the 7 structures proposed inside of the SRA,” Public Works Director Blake Mayo said. “There is also opportunity to create additional volume in a green space just to the east of the existing entrance that could provide a compensating cut to ensure the SRA volume remains the same.”
Ward said what the developer is proposing meets the city’s zoning code.
