Crossville Planning Commission approves multiple site plans and advances annexation requests

Chair opened the Crossville Planning Commission meeting, asked for public comment and received none. The commission moved quickly through routine business, approving the minutes from the Sept. 18 meeting after a voice vote in which at least one participant registered opposition.

Kevin Morrow, a city staff member, presented a cluster of development requests. He said a proposed building fronting West Avenue would encroach 7 feet into a 50-foot setback and recommended a 7-foot variance because the Overland District lacks strict zoning and nearby structures show reduced setbacks. Commissioners approved the variance and then approved the site plan contingent on any required stormwater or Tennessee Department of Transportation permits.

The commission also approved site plans for Spriggs Construction (a proposed 50-by-100-foot storage building), a 30-by-40-foot data-storage facility presented as cloud-storage “racks of storage,” and a 96-by-40-foot addition for Carfix. North Main Medical received approval for a 30-by-40-foot addition subject to a review and written approval by Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) resolving proximity concerns with overhead power and communication lines before a building permit is issued.

On annexations, staff presented multiple requests. The commission recommended that staff proceed with the annexation process for 2226 Tulas Drive; staff said the property is on septic and had not requested utilities. For 31 Canary Drive, staff said a 480-foot low-pressure sewer extension would be required; commissioners classified a proposed residence with a detached “mother-in-law” unit as single-family so the requester would be responsible only for material costs rather than full utility-extension costs required of multifamily developments. The commission also recommended staff proceed with the annexation process for 344 Jada Drive, which staff said would require a 940-foot low-pressure sewer extension and would add segments of state route and Jada Drive to the city boundary. Commissioners repeatedly noted that Jada Drive is tar-and-chip and only about 17.5 feet wide (city standard 20 feet), and they warned that bringing that road and drainage up to city standard could create substantial future paving costs for the city.

Staff reported the city is currently working on five annexation requests; three were presented at this meeting and two more have recently come in. The commission accepted staff reports as presented and adjourned.

Votes at a glance: approval of minutes (motion passed); approval of 7-foot setback variance and site plan for the West Avenue project (motions passed); approval of Spriggs Construction site plan (motion passed); approval of Shanks data-storage facility site plan (motion passed); approval of Carfix site plan (motion passed); approval of North Main Medical addition contingent on VEC review (motion passed); recommendation to proceed with annexation procedures for 2226 Tulas Drive, 31 Canary Drive (classification as single-family and recommendation to proceed), and 344 Jada Drive (motions passed). Specific roll-call tallies were not provided in the record.

The commission directed staff to proceed with the next steps in the annexation processes, including preparing plans of services, mailing state-required notices to properties within 200 feet, posting signs and scheduling public hearings.