Mount Juliet commissioners approve rezoning, senior center lease and several utility contracts; greenway easement converted to public right-of-way

The Mount Juliet Board of Commissioners at its July 14 meeting approved several ordinances and resolutions affecting land use, utilities and senior services.

The board adopted two rezoning ordinances on the unfinished consent agenda: an ordinance to rezone about 5 acres at 615 Rutland Drive (Map 78, Parcel 10.07) from RS-40 to CMU, and an ordinance to rezone about 16 acres at 718 Monticello Drive (Map 76, Parcel 41.01) from RS-40 to AR-40. Both ordinances were carried by the commission in voice vote during the meeting; no further details or vote tallies were provided in the public record portion of the transcript.

The commission amended and approved an ordinance authorizing abandonment of a portion of the existing right-of-way of Second Avenue South and acceptance of property from the Mount Juliet Church of Christ (1940 North Mount Juliet Road, Map 55, Parcel 95). Commissioners and staff discussed language on the submitted plat that described a proposed walking trail as a “public access easement.” Matthew White, public works director, recommended converting the designated trail to a public right-of-way so the city would own and maintain it and assume liability. The board approved an amendment changing the trail from a public access easement to a public right-of-way; J. Keff, who identified himself as an elder at 1940 Mount Juliet Church of Christ, said the church was “aware of the proposal” and “accepting of that.” The ordinance, as amended, carried unanimously.

On item 11b the commission approved a lease agreement with the Mount Juliet West Wilson County Senior Citizen Service Center for the Mount Juliet Senior Activity Center; commissioners and several members of the senior center’s board and staff spoke in support at the meeting. City staff noted the police department might need to remain in the building a little longer than anticipated because the city could not guarantee a lockdown date tied to communications lines; the lease ordinance nevertheless passed.

The board approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with James N. Bush Construction Inc. for the extension and relocation of sewer facilities on 011 Dirt Road and Golden Bear Gateway, and a separate resolution approving a contract with West Wilson Utility District for relocation of water lines on East Division Street and North Mount Juliet Road (the latter carried by a 4–0 vote in the transcript). The commission also approved a contract with Mayo Vision Technologies US LLC for traffic-signal preemption equipment for the fire department.

All items listed under new business were carried by the board in roll-call or voice votes during the meeting; where the transcript recorded a numeric tally it is noted above. Several motions were seconded in open session; specific mover and seconder names were not recorded in the audible portion of the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Rezoning: 615 Rutland Drive (approx. 5 acres), RS-40 to CMU — carried (voice vote). Ordinance identifier: not specified in transcript.

- Rezoning: 718 Monticello Drive (approx. 16 acres), RS-40 to AR-40 — carried (voice vote). Ordinance identifier: not specified in transcript.

- Abandonment and acceptance (Second Avenue South / Mount Juliet Church of Christ): ordinance amended to record the proposed walking trail as a public right-of-way rather than a public access easement — carried unanimously.

- Lease with Mount Juliet West Wilson County Senior Citizen Service Center for Mount Juliet Senior Activity Center: carried (ordinance). Potential overlap: police may remain in building temporarily while communications lines are finalized; timeline for occupancy not specified.

- Resolution: agreement with James N. Bush Construction Inc. for sewer extension/relocation on 011 Dirt Road / Golden Bear Gateway — carried (resolution).

- Resolution: contract with West Wilson Utility District for water-line relocation on East Division Street / North Mount Juliet Road — carried (recorded as 4–0 in the transcript).

- Contract: Mayo Vision Technologies US LLC for traffic-signal preemption for fire department — carried (contract authorization).

What the actions do and next steps

- Rezoning ordinances change zoning designations for the listed parcels; no implementation timeline or building permits were discussed at this meeting.

- The greenway change to public right-of-way means the city will own and maintain the trail and assume related liability; staff will incorporate the change into the recorded plat and the ordinance exhibit.

- The senior center lease clears the way for relocation to the former police department building but staff said occupancy could be delayed until communications and shutdown details are completed.

- Utility relocation contracts authorize construction work and coordination with utility districts and private contractors; specific start dates were not provided in the record.