Dickson apartments closer to expansion after vote, neighbors concerned
The Dickson City Council recently conducted a public hearing and approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone about three acres on Highway 70 East to add 25 additional apartment units in the East Forest Park complex.
The vote, which took place at the council’s Aug. 1 meeting, was for rezoning the area between East Forest Park Drive and Eastwood Drive from B-3 (highway commercial) to R-3 (high-density residential). The change is being requested by William Hostettler.
During the public hearing, David Kacynski; Linda Tummins; and Larry Hillis voiced concerns over the addition of apartments on the property resulting in increased traffic, flooding and water issues, sewer overflow and police calls and a “decrease in the ability to enjoy” the “long-established neighborhood” of Eastwood subdivision.
Hostettler said under the current B-3 zoning the property could be the site of a 100-room hotel or other commercial business instead of the 25 additional apartment units being planned in the next phase of expansion of East Forest Park. He said a commercial project likely would have access off Eastwood Drive while the apartment expansion will have access from the current drive to the complex. He said the Water Authority of Dickson County has assured him there is sufficient sewer capacity for the project and the site engineering will address water runoff with detention ponds. The council approved the rezoning ordinance on first reading 5-1-2 with Councilperson Betty Lou Alsobrooks (1st Ward) voting in opposition and councilpersons Haynes (4th Ward) and Michael Outlaw (4th Ward) abstaining.
The ordinance will face a second and final vote at a special session on Monday, Aug. 15.
Other business
Acting as the Board, approved an off-premises permit for Two Tours Garden Center doing business as Stoners Market at 101A East Rickert Avenue for Grant Morgan. The council approved the permit 7-0-1 with Councilperson Dwight Haynes (4th Ward) abstaining.
• Unanimously approved a proposal to install two 140-watt LED streetlights on existing poles across from the Municipal Building at 202 South Main St. at an installation cost of $1,502.24 and estimated annual energy cost of $73.64 per a proposal from Dickson Electric System.
• Unanimously approved on second and final reading Ordinance #1523 to establish a $25 court cost for citations for equipment and other violations that are repaired or corrected before the court date – referred to as “fix-it tickets” -- and increasing the court cost for all other convictions from $150 to $155.
• Unanimously approved on second and final reading Ordinance #1525 to amend the city’s subscription rural fire service policies to add service for commercial and industrial properties outside the city limits and within five road miles of one of the city’s fire stations.
• Unanimously approved a recommendation from Public Works Director David Travis to set the speed limit on all streets within the Spanish Oaks subdivision at 15 miles per hour and install four speed limit signs to go along with the existing children at play and speed hump signs that include a 15-miles-per-hour speed limit.
• Unanimously approved and authorized the mayor to sign the renewal of an agreement with Bittle and Associates to provide human resources consultation services for 2022-2023 for $2,800.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a 2022 International M2-106 truck with ODB leaf vacuum from CMI Equipment Sales Inc. for $234,980.26 on state contract.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a 2023 International MV607 sanitation truck from Cumberland International Trucks for $249,335.42 on state contract.
• Unanimously approved a bid of $65 each from Rehrig Pacific for cart containers. Public Works Director Travis said the city previously bought 145-165 containers each year but has run out of them and budgeted to order 260 this year.
• Unanimously approved the bid from Fussell’s Men and Boys Shop to provide clothing and boots for employees of the Public Works Department for 2022-2023.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F150 crew cab 4WD pickup from Ford of Murfreesboro for $35,324 on state contract for the Dickson Police Department.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a 2023 Ford Explorer AWD Interceptor from Ford of Murfreesboro for $38,086 on state contract for the Dickson Police Department.
Upcoming business
The council scheduled a special session of the City Council for immediately following the Finance and Management Committee meeting Aug. 15 to consider:
• The Finance and Management Committee will meet at 6:00 pm Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, with a special session of the City Council to follow in the Council Chambers at Dickson City Hall, 600 East Walnut St.
• Resolution #2022-17 for authorization to issue Electric System Revenue Bonds for Dickson Electric System to fund its broadband project.
• Second and final reading of Ordinance #1524 to rezone approximately three acres on Highway 70 East at Eastwood Drive from B-3 to R-3 requested by William Hostettler.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dickson apartments closer to expansion after vote, neighbors concerned
