CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A little-known quarry located in the Dunbar Cave Road area may soon become surrounded by upwards 0f 160 new homes.
The property containing the inactive quarry, between College Street/Wilma Rudolph Boulevard and Old Russellville Pike, is primarily zoned M-2 for heavy industrial use.
The proposal would change that zoning to residential. The usage statement submitted by property owner Norma S. Jerles and agent Greenspace Properties suggests the site would be used for mixed-use housing development.
At the City Council’s first executive session of 2021, Regional Planning Commission Director Jeffrey Tyndall recommended the application for approval.
Council addresses concerns
City Council members this week raised a number of concerns.
Ward 2 Councilman Vondell Richmond asked about the existence of a flood plain on the property, which would have to be addressed as part of any potential development.
Ward 8 Councilwoman Karen Reynolds spoke on traffic, citing her own difficulties walking up and down Old Russellville Pike last year.
“You cannot walk down Old Russellville Pike. I’ve tried,” said Reynolds. “As our city grows, we have to pay attention to what’s there. … Just putting these cars onto that road that is already not safe to walk on.”
The applicants conducted a traffic study that was submitted to the RPC, and the RPC still recommended approval.
Reynolds said that while she supports mixed-use development, she was concerned for “legacy residents.”
The council received 18 letters of concern from nearby residents.
The scope of government
According to Tyndall, the property’s current M-2 industrial zoning allows for a broad range of uses that would not be conducive to an already residential area. He likened the current zoning to the industrial park on International Boulevard.
Ward 10 Councilwoman Stacy Streetman suggested the rezoning could be the council’s best opportunity to steer the land’s use to something better.
“So, we could have that rock quarry open up, or really any type of industry open up behind that area that’s already zoned (M-2) and be that close to the homes versus if we were to approve this,” said Streetman.
Ward 12 Councilwoman Trisha Butler objected to the discussion in general.
“I think we need to reel it back in to, What is the scope of government?” said Butler. “We talk about, we have the growth, we don’t want spread, we don’t want backfill. This is in the middle of the city, and this is an industrial area in the middle of the city, and, like Mrs. Streetman said, they could build a lot of other stuff here that may not be appealing in a residential area.”
The City Council will vote on the zoning application during their regular session today, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. The meeting can be watched on the City of Clarksville Facebook page.
Editor’s note, disclosure: The property is across Old Russellville Pike from the 5 Star Media Group offices of Clarksville Now.
