News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville Planning Commission approved an amendment to the zoning code that would allow private schools to exist on commercial-industrial mixed use land.
The amendment requested by New Colossus Academy Headmaster Dan Bailey. The school wants to purchase land on Salem Road for a new facility. During the commission’s Monday meeting, Bailey told the commission that public, technical, and vocational schools were already allowed on mixed use land while private schools are excluded.
“We are in pursuit of a location we can build for our long-term home,” Bailey said. “This turns out to be the best suitable location for our school, primarily because of the location, being right where the I-40 and 111 corridors meet.”
Bailey said many families at the school would benefit from the location because they travel from far away. He said the school had twenty-seven students when it was founded four years ago, and has since climbed up to one hundred sixty students.
“We’re projecting two hundred next year,” Bailey said.
Community Development Director Jon Ward said there would eventually have to be road improvements for the future school to be compliant with zoning codes.
“The first step for them is to pursue a zoning compliance to see if this is an option they want to pursue for a new location,” Wards
In other business, the planning commission approved six minor plats in the city including a lot line adjustment, a lot line revision, and a lot re-division.
