by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Dec. 3 meeting, the Monteagle Planning Commission approved preliminary plats for two subdivisions, with a buildout design totaling 15 lots, earmarked for 1,450 square foot single-family homes. The commission also gave a green-light nod to plans for a food pantry on a lot recently acquired by Morton Memorial Methodist Church.

The Joseph Estates subdivision plat on Laurel Trails Road calls for five lots, while The Landings on South Central Avenue will have 10 lots. Developer Paul Fantuzzi plans to build two story homes with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths with brick or brick-siding exteriors. Fantuzzi stressed that while similar in design, the residences would not be “cookie-cutter” houses. He cited the Imagine Monteagle planning document, pointing to the need for affordable housing in keeping with the character of the community. “Maintaining green space is important to me,” Fantuzzi said. “I want to keep as many trees as I can.”

The commission granted Fantuzzi’s request for a variance on the Joseph’s Estates plat to allow for deeper lots than the width-length ratio permitted by subdivision regulations. Fantuzzi explained the deeper lots would allow for a tree buffer in the rear shielding residents from noise caused by commercial activities on adjacent property. “We need affordable homes,” said Commissioner Katie Trahan. “With the commercial property behind, it makes sense to do the variance.” “I agree,” said Commission Chair Ed Provost.

The plats will come before the commission for final approval once water, electric service, septic, stormwater flow and other contingencies have been approved and certified to meet regulatory requirements.

Morton Memorial United Methodist Church requested rezoning from residential to institutional for a lot recently purchased by the church and adjacent to the church’s Main Street property. The church plans to build a 5,000 square foot metal building for the food ministry. “It has grown so much,” said church trustee representative Debbie Bird. “We serve 270-300 families every month. If we can [have pickup] more than once a month, that will ease the street congestion.” Future plans might also include a clothing closet..

Neighboring resident Tony Gilliam expressed concern. “I don’t want metal buildings all around the block.”

“Residential zoning allows churches as use by right,” said town planner Jonathan Rush. “I think this facility would fall under church use. I don’t think rezoning to ID [institutional development] fits.”

“The ID description does not match at all,” said Trahan.

Addressing concern about possible future uses, Rush said if the property remained residential and the church continued to own it, future uses would need to be residential or church related.

“We could care less what the zoning is,” Bird said. The church just wanted “assurance” moving forward with the food ministry plans would not be “in violation.” “We want to be good neighbors,” Bird stressed.

The commission denied the request to rezone, with the minutes noting Morton Memorial was allowed to do what a church was allowed to do on R-1 residential property.

Resident Deborah Reed brought to the commission’s attention the Shull Chiropractic sign on Main Street, pointing out the business had been closed for years. Monteagle ordinances required businesses to maintain signs, Reed said. She proposed no longer operating businesses should be required to remove signs. Commissioner Richard Black observed two other long closed businesses still had signage on Main Street. Alderman Grant Fletcher said the Imagine Monteagle steering committee planned to recommend reviewing signage rules.

Reed also asked about rumors that Monteagle planned to develop the proposed truck-stop property. “I haven’t heard anything about it,” Provost said. Mayor Greg Maloof concurred.

The planning commission and Monteagle council will meet in a joint session Dec. 11, at 5 p.m., to discuss a grant for a consultant to assist with zoning definitions and mapping.