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Planning commission urges board to reject sale of two city-owned parcels amid service and safety concerns
Summary
Mount Juliet Planning Commission voted negative recommendations Aug. 21 on proposed sales of city parcels at 1099 York Road and 6207 Golden Bear Gateway, citing future sewer needs, public-works operations and liability around an existing shooting range.
The Mount Juliet Municipal and Regional Planning Commission on Aug. 21 voted to recommend the Board of Commissioners not approve sale of two city-owned properties — a roughly 46.5-acre tract near York Road and a 5.16-acre parcel at 6207 Golden Bear Gateway.
Commissioners said the larger tract, described in meeting materials as part of a 66.5-acre holding, is valuable for future public-works staging and potential sewer-system needs. Commissioner Bobby Jones urged a negative recommendation, saying the city should preserve land bought decades ago as leverage during sewer-contract negotiations and because the parcel currently supports multiple municipal uses.
The commission’s negative recommendation on the York Road parcel followed extended comments touching on: the parcel’s use by city departments (brush grinding, disposal of animal remains, equipment staging); the presence of a police firing range on the site and associated liability if homes were built nearby; and uncertainty over a sewer contract that expires in 2029. “If we sell this 46.5 acres down here, then, you know, there could be neighbors start complaining,” Jones said during debate.
Commissioners also moved a negative recommendation on the 5.16-acre Trailhead parcel at 6207 Golden Bear Gateway. Some commissioners said the parcel, with an existing parking lot and a small restroom donated by a developer, is valuable to preserve trailhead access and greenway connectivity. Commissioner Christian Franklin suggested a compromise of subdividing the parcel to retain the trailhead while selling developable portions.
Members of the public who spoke echoed concerns about public-works uses of the York Road site and urged the commission to preserve the land. Hans Schlegel, a York Road resident, told commissioners the property functions as an ideal remote yard for city operations and should be retained.
Both negative recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action.
Actions and next steps: The planning commission’s recommendations are advisory; the Board of Commissioners will consider the sales. Commissioners suggested the board and staff consider whether parcels should be re-platted or otherwise managed to preserve critical municipal functions before any sale proceeds.
