Council holds public hearing on surplus of portion of 125 Chestnut Ave., delays decision until full council

The Cookeville City Council held a public hearing on a request from Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) to declare approximately 0.26 acres of property at 125 Chestnut Avenue surplus and to sell that portion to the adjacent Cookeville Pediatrics property. City staff presented the location and a survey showing about 10,616 square feet of the parcel proposed for surplus.

Staff said the CRMC Board of Trustees determined the portion was no longer needed for hospital use and submitted a signed resolution requesting the surplus and sale. The city packet listed a price of $7.61 per square foot, producing a total sales price of $80,787.76. The submitted survey also shows a 50-foot access easement crossing the area; staff noted no utilities are currently present in the portion, but a portion of CRMC’s stormwater facilities serving a daycare may need to be relocated to CRMC property or covered by an easement before transfer.

Staff advised the council that both the municipal code and the CRMC charter require the council to hold a public hearing and that unanimous council approval is required for such a surplus sale. Because a full council was not present, staff recommended the council hold the hearing and postpone action until the next meeting when the full council can consider the request.

The council opened the public hearing, heard no public comment, closed the hearing and voted to postpone formal action until a full council can vote. No transfer or sale has been authorized at this meeting.