Barely a Win

They will be back......

The county commission meeting looked to be a full house. However, I’ve never been to a meeting before so I’m not sure how many people generally show up. The rezone for Clarion Homes was in front of the commission. Once again, the seller of the property and his real estate agent spoke for the project. Another woman, she stated she was a neighbor of Graves (the seller) also spoke for the project. No fewer than seven of us spoke against this project. There were several that brought up other issues than I did. Alderman Spicer (city of White House) lives in Robertson County, and she too was there to speak against this project. Of course the builder told us what a great project it was and how his homes never flood and they have built all over middle TN. We heard the same arguments we have been hearing for months. Once everyone had the opportunity to speak, the commissioners were able to ask questions and speak as well.

You will have to excuse me if I get these commissioners wrong, but they do not have name plates in front of them. Commissioner Gina Head-Hieber, district 11 stated that she had driven down Horseshoe Road just the day before. She had to pull over to let a truck with dual wheels pass by. She had to move to avoid hitting his mirrors. The highway superintendent, Troy Adkins, was there to answer questions about the road. He did state that the road was only 16 feet wide and the shoulders were washing out just as citizens have stated. It hasn’t been repaved since 2005. It was asked if it could be weight restricted. The answer was no. It is tar and chip, and the county cannot restrict who drives on it because it is a county road. Faye Stubblefield, district 8, stated that Clarion had done everything asked of them and that the county simply can’t tell them no. She stated that all of the land around it is residential and that the rezone makes sense. Robert Hogan, district 9, said that this 39 acres is locked on all sides with residential zoning, and Clarion fits with the county 2040 plan. (if you look at the above zoning map, that isn’t quite true) As it stands, Clarion can build homes on 2.9 acre lots with the AG-2 zoning. Megan Suttle, district 2, once again voiced her concern and opposition to this build.

This was the vote. Let me tell you which districts the YES votes live in. Rummel-3, Martin-4, Pierce-4, Delong-5, B. Dorris-5, M. Dorris-8, Stubblefield-8, Hogan-9, Morgan-9, Hart-10, Woodard-12. I guess if you live in Greenbrier and Springfield you just don’t really care what happens in White House. Well, you SHOULD. Who do you think is going to be paying to update the county roads and schools over here? It’s your constituents. Wait until they pass that 3000 unit subdivision in Springfield. I would guess the people that voted for these 11 commissioners will be up in arms with their pitchforks wondering why they are now on the hook for a school or two in Springfield. No, the county commission is not responsible for what the city of White House or the city of Springfield approves, but they don’t need to add to the issues.

So, let me share this information with you. County Mayor, Billy Vogle, informed us that he had a meeting with TDOT over the last few weeks. TDOT told him that they are about to spend $600 million dollars in East TN after the flooding. They also said they will not be getting to HWY 76 any time soon. White House caused the problem, White House can deal with the problem. Even if TDOT wanted to put in a traffic light, it would be 7-8 years before they got to it. Please stop asking when they are going to widen 76 or get a light at Cross Plains Rd and 76, the answer is NEVER.

The county attorney also had some interesting information for us. He has been meeting with out counties around middle TN that are dealing with the same mismanaged growth issues that we are. Maury County is redoing all of their subdivision regulations and Robertson County may need to consider the same, and also consider taking a second look at the 2040 comprehensive growth plan considering all of the growth that has already taken place. Blount County has added bonds to new subdivisions that include county roads that the construction vehicles use and tear up. That’s something else RobCo should be looking at. Finally, the Burris Ridge (Lennar) development on New Hall Road is being held up. That state told the developer and the county that a traffic light will need to be installed on 31W. (not sure if that is on Union or New Hall) Troy Adkins, the highway commissioner told the state that RobCo will not be paying for that light. TDOT will not pay for that light either. At this point, there has been no movement on the Burris Ridge development.

Clarion Homes isn’t done yet. They already purchased this property.

They already have $1.8 million into this plus what they have paid for plans and testing of the land. They are not going to walk away. If they had not yet purchased this property, they might be done, but they aren’t done. I have put out a few questions to see what they could build with an R-40 or an RP-80. When I know, you will know.

This may seem like a White House problem, but it is a RobCo problem. When schools and roads are funded by the county, we all have a stake in this. We are with you Cedar Hill. We know you don’t want the R-20 developments where you live. We are with you Springfield. We know you don’t want a 3000 unit development. At the end of the day, we are Robertson County. I’m with you friends. Let’s slow the growth, give our county some time to catch her breath, and pick up with adding new residents a few years from now. Whatever you do, do NOT go back to sleep. My friends have little kids that need safe places to ride their bikes and go to school. We have teens that need to be able to drive on roads not backed up with traffic. Keep up the good fight, we are in this for the long haul. Our kids and our friends’ kids need us.

*Update***Got this screenshot from a friend who works in planning. Gives an idea of what can be done on the property in the larger lot zoning. And remember, they can already build homes on 2.9 acre lots.