CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – An application to rezone close to 7 acres in Clarksville could lead to the displacement of over 41 residents.

Universal Exports has applied to rezone 6.96 acres just south of Prewitt Lane and west of Whitfield Road, known by some as the Prewitt Mobile Home Park.

The applicant was requesting that the area be rezoned from Agriculture to R-4, stating the plan is to remove the mobile homes to extend the existing multi-family developments.

The RPC recommended approval, but department comments included the need for an offsite sewer and water extension along with a traffic assessment.

Councilperson Karen Reynolds noted that rezoning this property would displace several residents, who would then have to look for affordable housing. She said she previously spoke with the property owner, who stated that he does plan to sell the property one way or another. In addition, all of those trailers are rented from the property owner at a low rate and are not owned by the residents.

There are currently 45 lots on that property, 41 of which are occupied. The property owner did note that there is a complete turnover within about 24 months.

“If we do approve this, these are residents that we’re going to have to reach out to and help find affordable housing for because they’re not going to be able to move into the apartments that are currently available in our community. This is another 41 people that we’re displacing from this area,” Reynolds said.

Councilperson Ambar Marquis brought up the fact that there are trailers being rented on property currently zoned as agriculture, which is unusual. RPC Deputy Director John Spainhoward explained that the department did some general research about two years ago when similar questions arose.

“It appears this trailer park predates zoning in some of the areas that are located there. It’s had a couple different names. The longest standing name is the Prewitt Mobile Home Park. Our more current mobile home parks would actually have an R-4 designation and then go through an approval process to have the mobile home park approved. In this case, you have what would probably be referred to as a legal nonconforming use.”

The measure will be voted on by the City Council at the next meeting on Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1 Public Square.