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The Cookeville Planning Commission denied a rezoning request along Royal Oak Drive near West Broad Street.
Assistant Planning Director Jon Ward said the proposed local commercial rezoning was requested by the property owners looking to flip the lot.
“It currently doesn’t comply with our Future Land Use Concept Plan, which is a component of Cookeville’s long-term 2030 Plan,” Ward said. “One of the reasons why that areas remained as best-suited for lower-density residential development when the 2030 Plan was approved in 2010, was because there was no sewer service extended to the area. But, sewer has been extended to that area now.”
Ward said although the department recommended Commission members deny the proposal now, the rezoning could still occur later on.
“If the Planning Commission wants to direct the Planning Department to study the area to rezone it and amend the future land use plan, that’s a possibility, ” Ward said. “The petitioner could file a request. We have provisions where you can request that the future land use plan be amended. Or, it can remain as best suited for low-density residential.”
The 2030 plan does include current residential zones along West Broad Street between Royal Oak Drive and Country Farm Road to eventually be rezoned for local commercial use.
The planning commission voted unanimously to deny the rezoning during Monday’s meeting. The initial request was submitted by landowner Kevin McBroom of Sandcastle, LLC.
