By MARK MCGEE
mmcgee@bedfordcountypost.com
A request for the annexation of 36.83 acres was unanimously denied by the Shelbyville City Council at its regular November meeting.
The request for adoption of a plan of service and annexation of a tract of land at 1418 Birch Street both were denied by a 4-0 vote. Council members Stephanie Isaacs and Bobby Turnbow were not present for the meeting.
Several residents from the neighborhood near the proposed annexation requested by Nicole and Robert Allison were present for the vote with the crowd overflowing into the lobby.
Those living in the area as a group spoke out adamantly against the annexation citing water concerns, increased traffic and possible damage to homes since, as many mentioned, the land was solid rock and blasting would be necessary to make the land useful for development.
Harold Segroves of Coldwell Banker Southern Realty made the only public comment in support of the annexation. He told the council this was the city’s opportunity to take control of whatever was going to happen to the property.
In other business:
*Council members agreed unanimously to terminate the 1974 Local Option Sales Tax Contract, effective July 1, 2024. The motion also authorized Notice of Termination to be sent to Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham, Bedford County Commissioners and the Bedford County School Board individually through their representatives.
*A motion to create an assistant city manager as a new staff position was made by council member Henry Feldhaus but failed for lack of a second.
*The hiring of an additional property maintenance inspector to the Buildings and Codes Department was approved unanimously. The position will pay an estimated $68,000 including salary and benefits.
*Also unanimously approved was the authorization to hire three additional personnel positions to the Shelbyville Fire Department to help address staff shortages. Salaries and benefits are estimated at $78,000 for each new hire.
*A professional services contract for $50,000 was awarded to Ragan Smith of Murfreesboro for the Trails and Greenway Master Plan. The cost is fully funded by the State of Tennessee Health Department “Healthy Built Environment” Grant.
*In a 4-0 vote council members approved a resolution for the abandonment of the public right of way next to The Glass Hollow properties.
*Two ground land leases were approved by a 4-0 vote for the construction of 60 x 60 hangars and associated ramps at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport. One was requested by Azure Flight Support. The other request was from Andrew Stover.
*An annexation request by owners Elizabeth and James Baum for two parcels of land totaling 66.92 acres located on the north side of Union Street and east of Jennings Lane was sent to the Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission for further review.
*A professional services contract was granted to FD25 Design of Austin, Texas for the city’s Wayfinding Signage Master Plan. The cost is not to exceed $100,000 with funding from the Hotel Motel Tax Fund.
It was announced City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Thursday’s trash will be picked up on Monday Nov. 27 with the regular Monday route.
