Cookeville council approves multiple ordinances, rezoning and consent items; postpones one rezoning

Cookeville City Council on Thursday, Sept. 18, approved a series of ordinances and consent items and voted to postpone one rezoning hearing to Jan. 15.

The council approved multiple second-and-final-reading ordinances and routine consent items by roll-call votes, and postponed consideration of a rezoning request for property at 2034 West Broad Street for 120 days (to be placed on the Jan. 15 council agenda). Council members voted on each item as presented on the agenda.

Why it matters: The approvals make administrative refinements to the city code, adjust permitted uses in a neighborhood commercial zoning district, and change zoning for at least one property — actions that affect development rules, downtown projects and access for county facilities in Cookeville.

Key votes and actions

- Ordinance 0350915: Amend municipal code (Cookeville) Title 5, Chapter 6 — credit and debit card payments. Council heard that the ordinance removes outdated language and formalizes processes for returned payments. The council voted 5–0 to adopt the ordinance on second and final reading.

- Ordinance 0250610: Amendment to the zoning code to remove drive-thru restaurants as a permitted use within the CN (Neighborhood Commercial) district. Council adopted the ordinance on second and final reading by a 5–0 vote.

- Ordinance 0250812: Rezoning (property at 1630 Blackwell Road, tax map 83, partial 75) from LM (Light Manufacturing) to CI (Commercial/Industrial Mixed Use). The council approved second and final reading of the rezoning, 5–0.

- Ordinance 0250813: Rezoning request for property at 2034 West Broad Street (portion of tax parcel 39Parcel205) — petitioner requested postponement. The council voted to postpone consideration for 120 days (to Jan. 15). The motion to postpone passed 4–0 with one abstention; Councilman Gilbert recorded an abstention.

- Ordinance 0250814: Authorize a public street access point from Genesee Avenue to serve Event Center Drive, Putnam County Fairgrounds and Putnam County Bus and Maintenance Garage. Council approved the ordinance on second and final reading by a 5–0 vote; staff said the access was necessary regardless of the rezoning outcome.

- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda, including a bid award for 20,000 feet of 350 triple‑X wire, by a 5–0 vote.

Public comment and other business

During the public-comment period a resident identified as Sarah of Cookeville raised concerns about parking for Tennessee Tech students downtown and urged the city to work with the university and local property owners on solutions. Council members acknowledged the comment and said they would look into options.

What the council said

Staff and council characterized most of the ordinances as unchanged since first reading and recommended approval. On the postponed rezoning staff told the council the petitioner is conducting property assessments and asked that the item be delayed; staff said the city attorney and city staff reviewed the postponement and did not identify a legal impediment.

What’s next

The postponed rezoning for 2034 West Broad Street will be placed on the Jan. 15 council agenda. Other adopted ordinances take effect as provided by law and city process; staff will implement code and access changes as directed by the approved ordinances.