Planning Commission decides on who can buy Industrial Park
New apartment complex underway
February 10, 2022
The City of Hohenwald Planning Commission met in the Fire Department’s meeting room on Monday, February 7, 2022, to discuss subdividing Industrial Park.
One of the first properties to be discussed was the Hassell Kelley property which is situated on two acres of Parcel 12. Brett and Elizabeth Redmon were hoping to purchase the property, renovate the existing house and barn and eventually run a body shop on the property. The Redmons also planned to reside in the home once it was renovated. The home belonged to Elizabeth’s grandfather before the land and house were sold to the County back in late 2006 or early 2007, according to County Commissioner Wendell Kelley, Elizabeth’s father. If passed, the land would be made into its own parcel: Parcel 13.
“I contacted Mr. [Brad] Rasbury [the City of Hohenwald’s Code Inspector] about zoning issues. He informed me that the house... couldn’t be occupied as a residence because it hasn’t been used as one in the last year... I believe by improving the home and making improvements to the property... it will increase [its] value,” said Kelley. “This property, in my opinion, is worth more as a residence than to be sold as it is for commercial... Once sold and renovated, the County and City stand to get yearly property taxes and the City would get utility and sales tax fees of any business that occupies the lot.”
He then detailed the plans he and his son-in-law have to run a body shop to restore older cars to the Commission before ending his proposal and request to have the property rezoned.
The property as it stands is zoned as an M2 property which is described in Hohenwald’s building codes as a “General Manufacturing/Industrial District.”
The code said, “These districts are intended to provide space for the types of industrial activities which by reason of volume of raw materials or freight, scale of operation, type of structures required, or other similar characteristics, require location relatively well segregated from nonindustrial uses. New residential activities are excluded, but community facilities and commercial establishments which provide needed services for industry are complementary thereto are permitted.”
This would mean that the code specifically excludes property zoned as M2 from being used for anything other than industrial and manufacturing purposes which unfortunately excluded the Redmons’ wish to also reside on the property.
“I am very sensitive to taking dilapidated properties and bringing them up to code... The obvious issue would be taking and rezoning a residential use right next to an industrial and that is highly unorthodox. There is no precedent that I’m aware of in the 20 years I’ve been working for this community [where] that has happened,” said City Planner Jim Lech. “One of the things I tend to look for is the long horizon. While the current [prospective] owners would do things the right way.. what I’ve seen in over two decades of planning in rural Tennessee is that the second and third owners don’t have the same intentions and can cause a lot of issues.. I cannot in good conscience... make a recommendation and purposefully grant a rezoning recommendation for industrial [use] and then on the immediate other side of the property line a zoning for residential [use]. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
The City Planner does not have a vote on the Planning Commission, but does act as their advisor and makes sure the commission is zoning land legally.
The Planning Commission members agreed with Lech and County Mayor Jonah Keltner, who was in attendance of the meeting, requested that the two acres be absorbed into Parcel 12, which will be owned by Summertown Metals.
The Commission then moved onto the Lewis County Junior Pro parcel: Parcel 6.5. Planning Commission secretary Don Barber started the conversation and said, “It’s not the most favorable place I’d have them relocate, but I do want to help them. I’ve tried my best to help them and I’ve been unsuccessful. Since we already have soccer out there, there’s no way that I can stand in the way of them having this parcel.”
Commission member Ben Floyd said he supported Jr. Pro Football without doubt, but did have a concern about them building permanent structures like concession stands. Lech agreed with Floyd by informing the Commission that they can allow the team to use it, but building permanent structures would be a different conversation.
Barber motioned to approve the subdivision of the properties, excluding Parcel 12 as the County would have to draw an up-to-date map with the Hassell Kelley acreage drawn back into Parcel 12. Connie Sharp seconded the motion and the subdivision passed unanimously.
Hydrology Study
During the discussion of Industrial Park, Lech told the Commission that the Industrial Park would have to have a comprehensive hydrology study done because the land frequently floods. The hydrology study would be done by one individual for all parcels, and would come up with a solution for the flooding before building permits would be given to potential buyers.
Barber, who is also the City of Hohenwald’s Vice Mayor, said in a later interview that the City would be discussing the hydrology study immediately and would hopefully have plans set in stone soon.
New Apartment Complexes
In exciting news, it was announced that a plan for 52 multi-family apartments is underway. Rick Morrow is the owner of the property, located behind Hardee’s, and hopes to build apartment complexes.
He requested to have the property rezoned due to the current zoning being an R2, which would allow for single family apartments, but he would like to have the property be zoned R3, which would allow for multi-family apartments.
Barber said that this request was easily approved due to the nature of the zones. There is no word as of yet when the building will begin.
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