Mount Juliet residents press city over Elliott Reserve construction, urge stronger enforcement

Residents from Nicholsville and nearby subdivisions told the Mount Juliet Board of Commissioners on July 14 that grading and construction at the Elliott Reserve development have damaged trees and privacy buffers, proceeded with inadequate erosion controls and left homeowners paying for surveys and inspections they said had been promised free.

At the Board of Commissioners meeting, Stephanie Beamer of 513 Montrose Drive said neighbors had repeatedly raised concerns about the development and that approved plans were not being followed. “Contractors have the ‘ask for forgiveness later’ mentality right now,” she said. She told the board some residents were asked to pay for pre-blast surveys after being told they would be free: “Some neighbors were told $150 some people were told $100 if we wanted a copy of our pre blast survey that was free. Some neighbors are now paying for our own pre blast surveys.”

Other residents described trees and privacy buffers removed during grading and raised questions about on-site surveying. One resident who identified himself as a realtor said the developer had claimed commercial work depended on building townhomes and questioned that financial argument, citing a change in the sale price of the land. Gary Klasig said he had reported lack of erosion control and that site clearing continued until he documented the work and notified officials.

Several speakers said they had paid for private surveys and inspections because they did not trust the developer’s contractors. Connie Sailor, who said she recently moved to Nicholsville, described hiring a private blasting inspector at her own cost: “I had to pay out of my own pocket to get a blasting inspector to make sure my home was gonna be safe.”

Commissioners and staff responded in the meeting. Commissioner Giles thanked residents for coming forward and said staff and the city attorney had taken action, noting the city had required a survey after complaints. Matthew White, the city’s public works director, later recommended city ownership and maintenance of a proposed greenway in another agenda item so the city would assume liability and maintenance rather than leaving that burden on the Church of Christ or private owners.

Vice Mayor Trevitt and City Manager Kenny Martin publicly acknowledged the concerns and said staff would continue to address violations. Trevitt said accountability from contractors was lacking and praised residents for reporting problems. Martin said staff would raise enforcement standards where necessary: “Some of our developers have dropped the ball… the staff has done that,” he said, thanking residents for reporting issues and promising follow-up.

The comments occurred during the meeting’s public-comment period; no formal action on Elliott Reserve was before the commission at this meeting. Residents asked the commission to pause or reconsider approvals tied to ongoing work and to ensure the city enforces approved plans, buffers, erosion control and required surveys.

Meeting participants identified the primary problems as tree and buffer removal after approval, inconsistent delivery of promised pre-blast surveys, and apparent absence or failure of erosion controls during site clearing. Several residents asked the city to clarify whether contractors were using licensed, neutral surveyors rather than company-hired crews measuring from neighbors’ fences.

The board did not adopt new regulations at the July 14 meeting specific to Elliott Reserve, but commissioners said staff would continue field inspections and enforcement. Residents said they will return to future meetings if the city does not resolve outstanding issues.