News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A plan for a 15-acre subdivision off Double Springs Road will move forward despite continued concerns about a narrow road and possible gravesites.
Putnam County Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat for West Fork Estates subject to improvements to Charlie Maxwell Road. Developer Anthony Leonard said widening the road to 18 feet would remove trees along both sides.
“One of my concerns of widening this road is the Double Springs area is full of narrow roads,” Leonard said. “If we widen that road then it’s going to take away the picturesque (quality) of that particular road and it will change that landscape.”
Six lots of the subdivision are along Charlie Maxwell Road.
Leonard asked the Planning Commission to suggest a number of lots along Charlie Maxwell Road they would approve without widening. Commissioners declined.
The site may have several unmarked graves as well, dating back to the 1870s. Leonard said he planned to bring in equipment to attempt to find them. He said he believes they are in a four-lot area along Charlie Maxwell Road.
“So that I can run some ground scans through there and attempt to locate the graves,” Leonard said. “We can take appropriate actions to create an easement or a cemetery if we can locate something.”
Planning Director Kevin Rush said the final decision on the road as well as the lots impacted by the possible graves can be handled in the final plat approval. Rush said Leonard does not want to widen the road to 18 feet, he would not receive a final plat.
“This is a preliminary plat,” Rush said. “There’s a lot of work to do.”
Leonard has brought the subdivision before the commission on at least three occasions. Chairman Jere Mason said it was time to make a decision.
