News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville City Council is reviewing a request for the annexation of a five-acre track on North Nelson Avenue, off Highway 70 west of town, currently suffering from septic failure.
Community Development Director Jon Ward said the owner of the property has requested that the property be annexed to receive sewer services from the city. He said adding sewer capacity to that area could limit available capacity for areas already within city limits. The property currently has 12 multi-family residential units, but vacant space where more could be built.
“Water Quality has given me comments that they can service the 12 units,” Ward said. “They would want to limit the plan of services to state that, you know, no future units could be constructed on the property until adequate capacity was available in the area.”
Ward said North Nelson Avenue is a county road, located off Speck Road. The annexation would give the city control of a segment in the middle of the road that it would be responsible for maintaining, Ward said. The council will vote Thursday on whether or not to send the resolution to the Planning Commission for review.
“This is a domino that would allow you to grow in other areas, and I think that’s something to consider as well,” Ward said. “We’ve always tried to be pro-annexation for many years.”
City Manager James Mills said the area has the potential for growth. Ward said sewer is currently very nearby and it would be at the developer’s expense to extend the sewer, if annexed.
