News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville’s Planning Commission approved the development of more student housing near Tennessee Tech’s campus Monday.
Planning Director James Mills said the Commission’s vote allows The Aerie to begin development as soon as possible.
“The Planning Commission tonight approved the final PRD (Planned Residential Development) plan which is the approval to begin construction,” Mills said. “The development schedule submitted with the final PRD plan indicates construction would begin in June, with the clubhouse leasing office to be finished by November of this year, and the entire complex to be completed by fall of next year.
The property, located at 1000 North Franklin Avenue, was owned by Titan Development before being purchased by Cookeville Aerie, LLC last month.
One area of concern that remains for the city involves street layout. Tennessee Tech’s master plan calls for expanding University Drive to North Franklin Avenue, at least 200 feet from the proposed development.
Mills said the city and Aerie developers have tried talking with the University to adjust their plan with students and traffic in mind.
“Our reasoning was, we could possibly create an intersection there, a four-way stop maybe with some crossing areas for students,” Mills said. “We felt like this would be a safer intersection that we we could slow down traffic on Franklin with a four-way stop there [and] realign Pine [Avenue]. At that time we were told that the University was not interested in pursuing realignment. We would like to pursue that again.”
Mills said The Aerie along with University Drive’s extension will likely impact traffic flowing through campus.
“The extension of University Drive is going to have a major impact on traffic on that area,” Mills said. “University Drive comes out to a signal on Willow, so instead of people coming out of 9th which has no signal, I can imagine anybody going to the campus is going to use University Drive.”
The Planning Commission’s decision does not need City Council approval as the property has already been rezoned and approved in 2017 when the project was proposed.
