CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The area surrounding an inactive quarry on Old Russellville Pike will become home to over 300 new residences, following approval by the City Council.
The zoning application passed first reading Thursday with councilors voting 11-2. The no votes came from Wanda Allen (Ward 8) and Karen Reynolds (Ward 9).
A large portion of the property containing the inactive quarry, between College Street/Wilma Rudolph Boulevard and Old Russellville Pike, was previously zoned M-2 for heavy industrial use.
According to applicant and real estate agent Syd Hedrick, the property will accommodate approximately 313 mixed use lots, including 148 “entry level” condominiums and 165 traditional single-family homes.
Traffic, flooding and ‘sardine style housing’
City Council members discussed the ordinance at length, raising several concerns about the 111-acre property.
Reynolds, along with other council members, brought up concerns with traffic on Old Russellville Pike, suggesting the addition of 600-plus regular commuters would create blockage and danger for pedestrians.
A traffic study was conducted on Old Russellville Pike by the applicants; however, Reynolds noted that those studies were conducted during a period of reduced traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not provide accurate data.
Concerns of flooding were also raised; however, Jimmy Bagwell, who spoke in support of the application, attested that flooding issues could be solved by the addition of a culvert to redirect water away from Old Russellville Pike.
Bagwell also said that the portion of the property that exists within the floodplain would be reserved for common area rather than housing lots.
Local attorney David Winters spoke in opposition to the rezoning, calling the proposed project “sardine style housing.”
Applicants address concerns
In answer to councilor’s safety concerns, Hedrick said the development would maintain 300-500 feet of distance from the quarry itself, which would be fenced off.
Bryce Powers, one of the primary developers for the property, committed to assisting the city in adding a deceleration lane at the entrance to his proposed subdivision in order to allay some traffic concerns.
Both Hedrick and Powers suggested that, should their zoning request be turned down, the M-2 zoned land could return to industrial use.
“The property is intended to be sold whether rezoned or not. Infill development is also important to Clarksville’s current real estate market,” said Hedrick. “(Jeff Tyndall) himself said that we are going to have to build ourselves out of our housing shortage.”
“The growth of Clarksville is strong,” said Powers. “We hope to be a courteous and responsible neighbor to existing residents and create a development we can all be proud of.”
Ethics questions raised
Another opposed resident, Luis Velazquez, suggested impropriety due to Powers’ position on the Regional Planning Commission and Hedrick’s on the Land Regulation Advisory Committee.
According to City Attorney Lance Baker and Ward 10 councilwoman Stacey Streetman, Powers abstained from voting on his own application, and Hedrick is a non-voting member.
The rezoning application requires two readings to pass. Council members are expected to vote again on the application in February.
Editor’s note, disclosure: The property is across Old Russellville Pike from the 5 Star Media Group offices of Clarksville Now.
Correction: A previous version of this story should have said the City Council voted 11-2 to approve the rezoning. Travis Holleman was present at the meeting; he attended virtually.