Sparta Looks to Amend Property Zoning Code

Sparta citizens may see a new zoning category within the city limits.

Mayor Jeff Young said the Zero-Lot Line Development District would allow construction of townhouses and condos.

“It benefits us quite a bit by creating new opportunities for growth and development in our area,” Young said. “We sort of been limited, we can’t annex anymore so the corporate city limits can’t grow out. But we can change the density.”

Young said the new category will help the city in terms of development.

“This ordinance has proven to work well with cities like Cookeville and Algood and some other places,” Young said. “Which will allow a lot of construction of new homes, I think it will be a big asset for us.”

Kevin Rush with the Planning Department said the amendments mirror other communities’ zoning codes.

“One of the suggestions we look at other communities and what’s been successful there. This type of development has been very successful in Cookeville,” Rush said. “So I looked at what Cookeville does. They have a Planned Residential Development but I call it a Zero-Lot Line Development District.”

The Sparta Board of Aldermen and Mayor passed the first reading of the amendments on the first reading. The ordinance will need to pass a second reading before enacted.