by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“We got an email at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. That was the first notice. They were dumping gravel the next morning at eight,” said Reverend Polly Robb voicing her dismay at the Sept. 23 Sewanee Community Council meeting about the Georgia Avenue student parking lot across from her and her husband’s home. The couple purchased the house in 2016 when Robb came to the seminary. “We put a lot of time, effort and money in the house. Our house is devalued. Car lights shine in the bedroom window at night.”

“I’m sad and confused.” Robb insisted. “We’ve heard several times from the lease office, Sewanee can do whatever they want to do. It’s not terribly neighborly.” Raised in Sewanee and once a strong Sewanee “advocate” who served two terms as a trustee, Robb acknowledged, “Maybe I’ve been blind to the University not really partnering well with the community.” When Robb contacted the University, she was told the parking lot was a “last minute decision” in response to larger than anticipated freshman enrollment and that the Sewanee parking shortage had been publicly discussed.

“I’m sorry,” said council representative Marilyn Phelps, commenting she too had heard “Sewanee can do whatever they want to do” complaints.

Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor Nicky Hamilton, Provost Scott Wilson, and Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen also apologized. “There were both more students and more students registering cars,” Wilson said. With 100 more students than anticipated requiring parking, the lot at the end of Georgia Avenue across from the Robb’s home was “the easiest course of action,” Wilson explained. He pointed out the lot had previously been used for storage by Facilities Management. The lot was surfaced with gravel, rather than pavement, in the event another solution presents itself.

“We’re continuing to explore options,” said Pearigen. “I’m sorry, but I understand why the decision was made. We’re still 50-60 students shy of where we need to be. We have to make decisions sometimes that aren’t necessarily popular. But the notion ‘we can do whatever we want to do’ is not part of who I am and who I expect my administration to be.”

Updating the council on the council election, Election Officer Ben Tarhan said signature petitions were available at the Sewanee Post Office and Lease Office. Four district seats and two at-large seats are open for election. Prospective district candidates must get ten signatures from residents of their district; for at-large seats candidates, the ten signatures may be from any resident with a 37375 zip code. Candidates should include a photo and two-sentence bio with their application. Signature petitions are due Oct. 14. Voting will occur at the Nov. 5 General Election. Those who wish can vote early at the Lease Office.

Council representative June Weber reminded the community the Council Funding Project Committee was accepting grant applications until Oct. 25. “Grants are given for physical improvements or amenities in Sewanee that enhance the community and improve the quality of life,” Weber said. “We welcome projects both small and large. An individual can apply and a group can apply.” Applications are available on the Community Council page of the Lease Office website.

The council addressed two questions about parking. To accommodate parking needs for special events “sleeves” will cover University Avenue no-parking signs. Tennessee Avenue parking will be for both School of Theology and University students, although no distinguishing signage had been posted yet.