News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Planning Commission will recommend reopening the connection between Salem Church Road and England Drive off Highway 111.
Planning Director Jon Ward said that the road was originally closed with concerns for thru traffic. He said there is now a need to reopen with an increase in development over the years.
“We’re always looking for better connectivity and provide better options for traffic flow. And I think a key to that connection is how that changes fire response times to the area. And in 2002 when that was closed, there was not a lot of development. ”
Ward said that the planning commission decided to explore the reopening after receiving a rezoning request for townhome development in the area at their last meeting. Developer Aaron Bernhardt requested the change for a 13.2-acre lot. The planning commission approved the rezoning with the agreement to further study Salem Church Road’s connection.
With more development, Ward said there needs to be more connectivity.
“I mean we’ve seen tons of development on Neal Street since then,” Ward said. “So I think that’s one of the concerns of the planning commission. And they have recommended to send it to City Council, a recommendation to reopen it. And the planning department concurs with that recommendation. We made that recommendation to them, and we feel like we try to make connections not sever them.”
Ward said that because the road that currently ends in a cul-de-sac was closed by ordinance, it must also be opened by ordinance. He said that the recommendation will go before the city council at its October 7th meeting, and the council will decide to set a public hearing date for November.
