Neal Street Rezoning Approved Thursday

Cookeville City Council approved the rezoning of property along Neal Street Thursday to allow for more flexibility.

Community Development Director Jon Ward said the general commercial zoning would allow developers more residential possibilities for land that has topographic challenges. The majority of the land zoned regional commercial originally to allow for large-scale commercial uses.

“Properties in this area are encumbered by natural factors, including limiting topography, sinkholes, wetlands and caves,” Ward said. “Rezoning has been approved to provide greater flexibility for development in previous actions by the council. This subject property does include sinkhole retention areas, potential wetland areas and caves as indicated on current GIS data.”

Several other parcels along Neal Street have been rezoned CG since 2017, including an area where townhomes are currently under construction. The planning commission approved the rezoning.

Council approved first reading of a new ordinance to more clearly define auto fuel centers and truck stops. Ward said the city has had numerous development requests around South Willow Avenue and Tennessee Avenue, leading to the need for more clarity.

Truck stops would include lounges, showers, overnight parking and other more impactful uses. The change also allows fueling centers inside the Commercial Industrial zone.

Ward said the truck center at South Jefferson and Bunker Hill Road, where traffic bottlenecks, also led to the proposed changes. Ward said the city wants to avoid those types of issues going forward.

In other business, council approved Heather Call’s appointment to the Rail Trail Commission for a new three-year term. Council approved purchase of a new vehicle for Leisure Services. The vehicles expected to arrive in October.