Mount Juliet City Council approves sewer line transfer for West Elementary expansion project

The Planning Commission of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee convened on January 16, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including infrastructure improvements and a proposed development project.

The meeting began with a presentation regarding a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) project aimed at constructing an eastbound turn lane into West Elementary School. This project will necessitate the elimination of septic fields for two residents outside the city limits and two within the city. As a result, TDOT is required to connect these properties to a public sewer system, which currently does not exist in the area. The existing sewer line is private and maintained by West Elementary. To address this issue, the city has arranged to take ownership of the sewer line from the Wilson County Board of Education, facilitating the necessary connections for the affected residents. The city plans to present this arrangement to the school board for approval next week. The commission unanimously recommended a positive motion regarding this infrastructure improvement.

Following this discussion, the commission reviewed the final master development plan for a proposed public storage facility located at 6350 Golden Bear Gateway. This facility will cover approximately 117,000 square feet and stand 53 feet tall on a 2.44-acre site. The development is part of Project Jolene, which was previously approved in 2022. The site will feature access via Rutland Road and include a 10-foot multi-use path as required by the planned unit development (PUD).

The developers requested a variance for parking, proposing 12 spaces instead of the required 28 due to the nature of the storage facility's usage. Additionally, the commission recommended increasing the landscape buffer along the southern border of the project from 10 feet to 50 feet to better shield the adjacent church from the facility. Public Works expressed support for the project, noting that it is in substantial compliance with previous approvals.

The commission engaged in discussions about the project's logistics, including traffic flow and the potential for future development in the area. Concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of the access roads for larger vehicles, but staff assured that the design would accommodate typical moving trucks.

After addressing all questions and comments, the commission moved to approve the public storage facility project, with the recommended conditions regarding the landscape buffer. The motion passed with one commissioner abstaining from the vote.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city's commitment to improving infrastructure and accommodating new developments while addressing community concerns. The next steps will involve further discussions with the school board and continued collaboration with developers to ensure compliance with city standards.