Zoning Changes, Budget Set for Cookeville Council Meeting

Zoning amendments and the 2018-19 budget will be on the table for Cookeville’s City Council meeting Thursday.

One proposed zoning amendment would decrease maximum size of political signs on private residential properties. The change would limit signs to be no bigger than 16-square-feet in sign face area, down from the current 32-square-feet limit.

City Planning Director James Mills said the change reflects Tennessee state law.

“Our code needs to reflect the standards that are specified in the T.C.A.,” Mills said. “Basically, it makes it stricter than what we already have.”

The amendment states signs are to be removed from properties within two weeks of elections or events by the property owner. Failure to remove signs in a timely manner are subject to penalties.

Sign limits for non-residential zoning districts will remain unchanged at the 32-square-feet limit.

The new Tennessee Avenue would also be classified as a major city street under the new amendments. As a result, billboard will not be permitted between Cookeville city limits and Highway 70N.

The city’s property tax rate will remain the same as the previous year, staying at 84 cents for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Money will be set aside for various projects around Cookeville, including the new police station, Dogwood Park expansion, and a new HVAC unit for City Hall.

City Council will meet Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.