Lake Farm Estates resident urges action as Smyrna staff reports citations, municipal court date

Sharon McGinnis, a Lake Farm Estates resident, told the Smyrna Town Council she and neighbors were alarmed after an absentee owner acquired multiple residential lots, removed trees and left large piles of debris on properties bordering the neighborhood.

"I personally want to thank those of the town council for taking time to listen and act on behalf of residents of Lake Farm Estates to our pleas for help," McGinnis said, describing decades of residency and saying the recent activity has caused “trauma, stress, anxiety, and anger” and driven down property values.

Dennis Johnson, one of the town’s codes enforcers, told the council the town has issued citations to the property owner for lighting that spills onto adjoining properties and for violations of the public‑nuisance ordinance related to debris piles. "Currently, we have citations out to the property owner," Johnson said. Staff announced the municipal court hearing for the citations is scheduled for April 23 at 10 a.m. in Smyrna; the hearing is open to the public.

Town counsel explained the limits of municipal court enforcement and the next legal steps if the owner fails to comply. Jeff said municipal court authority in Tennessee is generally limited to monetary penalties, and that to compel action the town would pursue an injunction in chancery or circuit court. "So the town would be asking for $50 a day for every day that it's out of compliance," Jeff said, noting that $50 per day is the constitutional maximum referenced in the hearing.

Council and staff discussed mitigation steps the town can request or require where legally permitted: asking the owner or tenant (staff said they have contact information for a tenant identified as Crown Enterprises) to shield exterior lighting, replant trees, or install screening; pursuing fines and court orders if necessary; and using professional noise‑measurement equipment to gather admissible evidence if noise levels need to be established in court. Staff said they have made some phone and email contact with the tenant and will reach out to property managers in Michigan who are listed as owners.

Council members encouraged residents to continue reporting concerns and to provide a point of contact so staff can share updates. No rezoning action was taken at the meeting; council members emphasized that rezoning would have to go before the planning commission and then the council and said they did not expect a rezoning to industrial to be approved without substantial review.

What happens next: code enforcement will pursue the April 23 municipal court hearing and staff will contact the owner/tenant to seek mitigation or a compliance plan. If the owner fails to comply after a municipal fine, staff said the next legal remedy would be to seek injunctive relief in chancery or circuit court.