by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Following lengthy discussion at the Jan. 7 meeting, the Monteagle Planning Commission tabled approval of the site plan for the proposed Hampton Inn next to Hardees with access on Parker Street and Moss Circle. Lack of an approved plat conforming to the project’s footprint posed the main hurdle.

To create a plat for the project, three lots will be combined to create two lots, with one designated for the motel and the other lot for a possible future project. In November, when project engineer Jake Simco presented the site plan, he said the plat issue had not been addressed due to difficulty in finding a surveyor. At the Jan. 7 meeting, town planner Jonathan Rush said he had viewed a digital rendering of the new plat, but the commissioners did not have copies to view. Rush said, technically, the plat should be approved before the site plan.

Simco apologized for the miscommunication and asked the commission to approve the site plan conditionally, pending administrative staff approval of the plat. Rush acknowledged administrative approval without full approval of the commission was allowed since the lot changes fell under “minor subdivision” rules. But the commissioners expressed reluctance to go this route.

“I would rather it not be an administrative sign off,” said Commissioner Katie Trahan. “If there are any [issues], the question will be why did the planning commission holdup signing off on this.” As secretary, Trahan would be the commission member responsible for signing to give administrative staff approval.

The site plan itself presented other possible issues.

Trahan expressed concern about traffic flow. “Moss Circle is barely a two-lane road,” said Commissioner Richard Black, concurring.

Simco said the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) had reviewed potential complications from the new bridge across I-24 impacting Parker Street, and TDOT found no issues. “I don’t think there’s a major problem with traffic, but I’ll take a look at Moss Circle,” said Mayor Greg Maloof.

The proposed method for transporting wastewater from the motel to the public sewer main was also an outstanding concern. City Engineer Travis Wilson had not yet given his nod of approval. Rush recommended a letter from Wilson accompany the site plan.

The proposed 89-unit motel has already been granted a Board of Zoning Appeals “special exception” for a four-story building. The commission tabled approval of the plat and site plan until the February meeting.

In response to an unanswered question raised at the December meeting about signage, Rush said Monteagle ordinance stipulated “if a business moved to another location or ceased to exist, all signs pertaining to the prior establishment must be removed at the property owner’s expense within 30 days of notification.” Enforcement fell to Codes Enforcement Officer Travis Lawyer, Rush noted.

Taking up a question by Monteagle Alderman Dean Lay about the protocol for zoning ordinance amendments, Rush cited state law. “If the planning commission recommends approval [of a request for a zoning ordinance change], it’s automatically sent to the board of mayor and alderman for a vote. If the planning commission recommends disapproval, the only way [the request] can go to the board of mayor and alderman is that the majority of the board of mayor and alderman must say, ‘We will now take it up.’”

Maloof announced Chair Ed Provost was dealing with health issues, and Vice Chair Richard Black would serve as chair for the next several months.