Monteagle Council: Interstate Lights, Roads, Travel Center
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Oct. 26 Monteagle City Council meeting, the council took questions and presented updates on interstate exit lighting, road repair and the proposed Petro Stopping Center. The council also confirmed Halloween parade plans and progress on dealing with unkept property.
Vice Mayor Tony Gilliam said refurbishing the lighting at I-24 exit 134 had been completed and work was underway on the lighting at exit 135. According to Gilliam, the initial estimated cost of the project was $350,000-$400,000, but the city refurbished the lighting rather than replacing it and did the work in-house, cost $10,000. Gilliam projected by the end of the week the lighting at exit 135 would be in service. “We hope this will help increase revenue. Having our exits lit up will show the town of Monteagle is open for business.”
Asked about road repair, specifically Laurel Lake Road, Gilliam said the city was measuring roads and prioritizing projects based on need. “I understand you want it [Laurel Lake Road] paved…8th Street and 2nd Street are in far worse shape.” Gilliam said $65,000 was budgeted for roads, but that would only pave 1,200-1,300 feet. “Revenue is down because of COVID. We’re working on ways to increase the budget.” Gilliam also noted most of the 2018-19 road budget went for repair on Laurel Lake Road and purchase of an access road during the February 2019 flooding. He estimated paving Laurel Lake Road would cost $1.5 million or more.
Speaking to zoning questions related to the proposed Petro Stopping Center, Gilliam said the zoning map would revert back to at least the 2015 version. “We’re working with the state on that. We don’t know how far [the map] will revert back.”
Regarding progress on the proposed travel center, Gilliam said, “A lawsuit has been filed on the town for not signing off on it [the Petro Stopping Center site plan].” City attorney Sarah Bible explained, “It [the law suit] is not for damages, just action.”
A resident objected to grading and excavation work being done at the proposed Petro site. He said he consulted with building inspector Earl Geary. According to the resident, Geary [allegedly] said, ‘They’re skirting the law, not breaking it.’
Gilliam acknowledged the need for and work being done to update city ordinances. “Before, if you wanted to build a service station, you could draw a diagram on a paper sack or cardboard box,” Gilliam said.
Another resident said Geary refused to talk with her regarding concerns about an artesian well at the proposed Petro site. “Let us speak with Mr. Geary,” Gilliam said. “If there’s an issue there he can’t handle, maybe we can hire someone else to come in…We apologize, and we will deal with it.”
“He [Geary] did deal with it,” said Rodney Kilgore, one of the proposed Petro developers. “He served papers on me…You can’t stop me. I have TDEC permits. I’m legal.”
Brian Graber, Kilgore’s partner in the project, asked, “When do you think we might have some sort of resolution?” Gilliam said he expected the Planning Commission to take up the issue at the Nov. 4 meeting.
In other business, Gilliam said trash and debris at a North Bluff Circle location were being cleaned up by the new owners. The former owners sold the property upon receipt of a letter from city attorneys about cleaning up the property. The attorneys had also sent a letter to owners of unkept property on Central Avenue, Gilliam said.
Alderwoman Jessica Blalock, who heads up parks and recreation, announced the Oct. 31 Halloween Parade beginning at noon at Monteagle Elementary School. Children, accompanied by police and fire department personnel, will walk to Harton Park for trunk-or-treat festivities ongoing until 3 p.m.