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Signal Mountain Council authorizes sale of two small parcels to TDOT for stormwater project
Summary
The Town Council authorized the mayor to transfer two small town-owned parcels to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for a TDOT stormwater project after discussion about water-main protections and compensation.
The Town of Signal Mountain Council voted Feb. 10 to authorize Mayor to execute the transfer of two small parcels of town-owned land to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for a TDOT stormwater and drainage project.
The council discussed engineering reviews, potential impacts to the town’s transmission water main and compensation for the parcels during a half-hour discussion before voting to approve the transfer. Town Manager Matt Justice told council members that town engineers with CTI reviewed TDOT plans and “I don't think there's going to be any impact to our existing infrastructure in place” and that TDOT contractors would “encase it in concrete” and be “very careful around it.”
Council members pressed to be certain the state would not later require moving the main. One councilor asked what would happen “if we proceed with it, and ... we have an unintended impact on some of the town assets, who is responsible for correcting that?” A town representative said earlier practice has involved TDOT covering some costs in similar projects and that, in other cases, TDOT contractors moved utilities to town specifications as part of the project.
The purchase price listed in the motion was $1,525 for one parcel and $300 for the other. Council members acknowledged the sums were small and that refusing the offer would likely move the process into eminent domain. Town counsel explained the eminent domain process, including the town’s right to contest an offer and the likely cost of doing so, and characterized these particular parcels as small relative to typical home sizes.
After questions and assurances from the town manager and engineers, a council member moved to authorize the mayor to execute the transfers; another member seconded the motion. The council voted in favor.
The council’s discussion noted the larger timeline for the TDOT project (letting scheduled in summer 2026) and cautioned about traffic and construction impacts when work begins.
Provisions of the transfer and any work around the town’s transmission main will be handled in coordination with the town’s engineers and TDOT contractors, the town manager said.
