Crossville resident asks council to reconsider outside‑city sewer hookup for 82 Foxfire Road after 3–3 planning commission tie

Janelle Hernandez told the Crossville City Council on Wednesday that she and her husband bought 82 Foxfire Road on Oct. 24, 2024, and were told at the time that they could connect to existing city sewer lines that cross their property.

"We closed on it 10/24/2024," Hernandez said. "We were told that we would be able to connect with a $2,000 fee to tap in. We'd be required to purchase a residential grinder pump through the city, or a commercial grinder pump that would need to be purchased elsewhere. We moved forward in good faith based off of that information."

Hernandez said the planning commission returned a 3–3 tie on her request to allow an outside‑city sewer connection without annexation, and that several other applicants who required larger new sewer work were approved at the same meeting. She asked the council to reconsider the case when the full panel is present.

"We are respectfully asking for the opportunity to move forward with what we were told was possible from the beginning, which was the ability to be able to connect to the existing sewer lines under the prior policies," Hernandez said.

City Manager Bailey told the council the city has an ordinance on outside‑city sewer and annexation. "Because it touches, the ordinance states that if it is feasible, then annexation would be required," Bailey said, noting the city had completed a third reading of an annexation-related ordinance on Sept. 10, 2024, and that annexation brings municipal benefits such as lower water rates, trash pickup and fire protection.

Council members discussed several practical points raised in the meeting record. A council member noted the property map attached to the planning packet shows the parcel touches the city limits. Another asked how emergency response is determined if a property is outside the city; an emergency‑services staff member said dispatch and 911 systems populate the jurisdiction for responders and that Cumberland County would generally be the initial responder unless records or GPS indicate otherwise.

Staff described fees the city has charged for outside‑city sewer capacity. "We've been charging, $10 per gallon per day, which works out — assuming that they use 100 gallons a day — a thousand dollars per residence, one time," a staff speaker said, referencing a capacity charge the council has applied in some cases.

Council added the Hernandez request to the next regular meeting agenda for formal consideration.

Why this matters: The council must decide whether to permit a sewer hookup without annexation where lines already lie on or near private property. That decision affects municipal service responsibilities, fee structures and whether the property becomes subject to city taxes and ordinances.

Details and next steps: The council did not take a final vote at the work session. The planning commission tie (3–3), Hernandez's claim that she was told a $2,000 tap fee would be allowed, the city's ordinance language about required annexation where feasible, and the city's capacity fee practice were all placed on the record for the agenda item. The council will consider the matter formally at the next meeting.