The DeKalb County Commission voted in favor of a revised requirement for establishing new driveways along county roads. DeKalb County Road Supervisor Danny Hale had asked the commission to adopt a resolution during the October County Commission meeting, requiring new driveways to have a leveled five-foot buffer from county roads. The requirement would not apply to existing driveways or any along state highways. There will also be no cost to obtain a permit.

Hale told the commission that the resolution was needed to keep gravel on inclined driveways from washing off onto county roads after heavy rains. He said that after rains, gravel washed onto the roadways has caused safety hazards and the measure would help prevent that. 

“We have so many driveways that are right into the side of the road that head up hill, and it’s dangerous because after every big rain you have two or three feet of gravel out in the road. At night if you’re coming down that road, and it’s washed that gravel out there and you’re meeting another car on that side, it’s a safety hazard,” said Hale.

Hale said “The DeKalb County Highway Department hereby requests the County Commission adopt a resolution requiring all residents installing a new driveway to get a driveway permit. The permit will state that all new driveways must have a minimum of 5-foot level when finished from the side of the road when the grade is higher than the road. There will be no charge for the permit, but the specs must be met when installing the new driveway. This will eliminate the washing of aggregate or debris onto a main road causing a safety hazard. The permits can be acquired at the DeKalb County Highway Department, 720 Smith Road, Smithville, TN.”

The County Commission voted in favor of the change.