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Nashville council postpones vote on Brazwell Family Farms land conveyance amid grant and wetlands concerns
Summary
Council postponed action on a proposed 0.5-acre conveyance to Brazwell Family Farms after staff and legal counsel advised adding language making the sale contingent on verification that transfer would not conflict with state grants tied to Stony Creek Environmental Park.
The Town of Nashville on March 18 deferred a decision on an economic development agreement that would convey roughly a half-acre to Brazwell Family Farms so the company can complete truck parking and additional docks at 111 Commerce Street.
Randy, a town staff member presenting the agreement, said the company "is nearly finished constructing it and I really wanted to get this to council so you had an opportunity." Council members and members of the public raised concerns about whether the conveyance could jeopardize grant conditions tied to Stony Creek Environmental Park and questioned who would be responsible if the town needed to restore land or locate replacement acreage.
Town attorney Raz recommended adding protective language to the development agreement, saying the deal should be "expressly subject to verification by the town that conveyance of the .5 acres is not inconsistent with state grant conditions relating to Stony Creek Environmental Park." Council accepted that approach and voted to hold a public hearing and then to postpone a final decision until the next meeting to allow staff to consult funding sources and to draft contingency language.
A public commenter who identified as "Westbreak National Graphic" asked whether the proposed truck parking would create impervious surface near environmentally sensitive areas and whether an environmental review should precede construction; staff responded that stormwater from the truck parking is planned to be channeled to an agreed retention basin and that the agreement requires compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulations.
During discussion council members said the town could seek to replace the affected acreage with comparable property donated previously (a 46-acre parcel referenced in the meeting) or otherwise resolve the grant condition; council emphasized any land-swap or purchase would require future council approval. A motion to postpone consideration and return the item at the next meeting passed by voice vote.
