Monteagle to Reconsider Truckstop Rezoning
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the May 4 meeting, Monteagle Planning Commission Chair Iva Michelle Russell announced the city would reconsider the rezoning of a 4.6-acre tract slated for inclusion in a proposed 20-acre Petro travel center. The council previously approved rezoning the tract from R-3 to C-3 with a first reading vote March 29 and a second reading vote April 26. The travel center project needs C-3 zoning to move forward. “On advice of counsel, we will reconsider the rezoning request at a special called meeting May 10 at 6 p.m.,” Russell said. No reason was given for the decision to reconsider the rezoning. The planning commission intended to take up the travel center site plan at the May 4 meeting. The commission deferred addressing the site plan to July 6.
In regular business the commission addressed Frank Maxwell’s request to rezone his property from C-2 to R-2 so he could build on to his house. The 4.5-acre property is located between Hallelujah Pottery and the Werner Military Museum.
Explaining the reason for a residence on property zoned C-2, Monteagle Mayor Marilyn Campbell Rodman said, “At one time Mr. Wiggins owned the museum and the house. He sold them independently.”
Town planner Garret Haynes noted the property to the west and east was zoned C-2. “[The rezoning] would create a small sliver of R-2 in C-2,” Haynes said. The Maxwell property is only 150 feet wide. Haynes said he had “not heard opposition” to the proposed rezoning, but suggested the commission might want to discuss the rezoning with adjacent landowners.
Haynes cited zoning ordinance 1207C. According to the ordinance, when taking up rezoning, the commission should consider the “effects on adjoining or adjacent property owners” and whether “one property owner or small group of property owners will benefit.”
The commission tabled the request to allow for further investigation. “We must make sure we are not doing anything just for one,” Russell said.
The council denied a request from Cooley’s Rift to divide the property since no one was present to represent the developer.