by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“I want to live in Mayberry,” said seventh-generation Monteagle resident Iva Michelle Russell commenting on why people come to Monteagle at the Sept. 23 public meeting presenting the Imagine Monteagle plan developed under the guidance of American Institute of Architect (AIA) planners. The discussion among steering committee members and over 30 town residents tracked the challenges and blessings charted on Monteagle’s horizon by embracing a commitment to be both a small-town like Mayberry from “The Andy Griffith Show” and at the same time the gateway to the Cumberland Plateau.

Monteagle Alderman Nate Wilson applied for AIA Community by Design assistance in drawing up a plan. The AIA planners accept only five or six projects annually. Mayor Greg Maloof acknowledged the honor and praised Wilson’s hard work and commitment. The only cost to Monteagle: hosting the planners’ two visits and their transportation.

“The plan is an idea where the town might go, not a prescription,” Wilson stressed. “It’s a framework, not answers.” He cited three major challenges. One, Monteagle needs to deal with its water supply shortage and with inflow and infiltration of storm water into the sanitary sewer, which diminishes Monteagle’s sewage treatment capacity. A second major challenge is the population’s age. “Monteagle skews older than the general population. We need to attract younger people,” Wilson said. It follows, Monteagle drastically needed affordable housing. “We’re not talking about a government answer,” Wilson insisted. “We’re talking about the government making it easier for private investors to come in.”

Much attention focused on the opportunities tourism provided. Russell pointed out prior to the interstate, Monteagle had a “very vibrant downtown” catering to Highway 41 traffic, the main route between Chicago and Miami. “The community serviced those interests. We had restaurants, places to stay. We had all the things any visitor would want,” Russell said. Monteagle had a very different look. People often lived on the second floor of their first-floor businesses. “Over time we lost our look,” Russell maintained. “For tourism today, what they’re looking for in Tennessee is authenticity. But who are we?” She cited the resource of the three state parks. “Outdoor recreation is our game and so is authentic small-town America. If you build a community people want to live in, you create a community people want to visit. People want to come back to what is real and authentic.” Russell suggested signage, public restrooms, and outdoors outfitters greeting travelers at interstate exits and highlighted the planners’ ideas about a walkable downtown with outdoor dining and parking in back and streetside.

Planning Commission Chair Ed Provost said for the past three years the commission had been tackling the challenge posed by zoning and codes that were “a mess.” He cited lack of regulations governing food trucks and questions about the location of convenience stores and campgrounds “We need to make zoning a useful tool that matches the codes,” Provost insisted, proposing Monteagle seek professional help to update the zoning map. Echoing Wilson’s concerns, Provost stressed the difficulty of attracting developers and businesses “when we can’t give them water and sewer.”

Pointing to the proposed Monteagle Elementary School sign made from mountain stone, Beautification Committee Chair Martha Ann Pilcher suggested signage and similar priorities could be incorporated into Monteagle codes.

A number of people who commented spoke to why Monteagle needed a plan. The government grant funders Monteagle relied on often requested a plan, Wilson said. “Growth is coming,” said aspiring developer Jessie Goodman whose current project is a subdivision across from the National Guard Armory. “Monteagle needs a plan to attract [developers] to put their money here.” Scott Parrish, former Monteagle Sunday School Assembly director concurred. “Developers very much desire a formal plan. They’re happy to put up a mountain stone sign if it’s in the code.” A resident offered an example comparing Augusta, Ga., and the far more successful growth strategy of Chattanooga. “Chattanooga picked some big wins to build around,” he said. Augusta let developers guide the growth.

One resident questioned how Monteagle could be the gateway to the Plateau in a way that helped the outlying towns. “There are nine communities in the region,” Russell said. “They’re already doing their own redesigns.” “There is a danger in being on the interstate,” Wilson pointed out. “Monteagle could be subsumed as an interstate exit.”

Many attendees spoke in favor of adopting the Imagine Monteagle plan. None voiced opposition.

Printed full-color copies of the 65-page plan will be available at May Justus Memorial Library. Resident Lucy Keeble spearheaded a $1,474 funding effort to make the printed copies available.