The Smithville Planning Commission discussed the proposed annexation of several properties just west of the city limits on Highway 70 Thursday night, and while committee members seemed receptive to the annexation plan, they voted to take the matter under advisement until accurate cost estimates are provided and a complete plan of services for the area to be annexed area is devised.
The plan calls for the annexation of properties owned by Jim Beshearse, Pat Walls, John Kilgore, Ed Young, Mike Foster and David Foutch. The proposal would annex nearly 17 acres on the south side of Highway 70 and 14 acres on the north side of the road.
If approved, the Kilgore's restaurant property, which belongs to Foster, Foutch's Eye Care, and properties owned by Beshearse and Kilgore, and Ed Young will be annexed.
A state moratorium on annexation dictates that the city cannot annex property at this time without the owner’s request. Property owners must petition the city for annexation. In this case all the property owners apparently have done so.
City Planner Shannon Copas presented an example of the required plan of services to the commissioners, explaining what was involved in formulating the plan.
“There is an example plan of services here,” Copas said. “It basically outlines when services are going to be provided. We have to do this under Tennessee Code Annotated. It outlines when police and fire protection will be provided to this area. It also outlines the water situation and sanitary sewer.
“I think in this one we put 5 to 7years’” he continued. “We can always change it. This is just an example. It contains some information about street construction and repair. It addresses solid waste collection and disposal and recreation facilities. All the planning commission does is make a recommendation on a draft to the city and make sure everything looks good.”
A sewer cost estimate from a similar 2008 project was provided by City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson. Actual estimates on the sewer project have not yet been completed.
Planning Commission Chairman Wallace Caldwell and commission member Norris Colvert told the assembly that while they were not necessarily against the project, they did feel that an accurate estimation of the cost involved is needed before a decision is made.
“Don't anyone think I'm against annexation, but I think before I would be willing to make a request to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to annex this property I think we need to have more figures as to what it's going to cost. That's strictly my opinion,” Caldwell said.
“I agree with you Mr. Chairman,” Colvert replied. “I don't think we're in any position to do anything but to take it under advisement and get our arms around some of the answers to these questions. At least we can get some ballpark costs associated with these kinds of services if we're going to be recommending the support of the mayor and aldermen to approve this.”
Colvert made a motion to take the matter under advisement until the next meeting, and the motion was seconded by Glen Nichols.
The commission voted unanimously in support of the motion.
Members of the commission include Caldwell, Hoyte Barrett, Wade Smith, Dwain Snow, Aldermen Shawn Jacobs and Jason Murphy, and Mayor Jimmy Poss.
A special meting of the planning commission may be called if the required estimates are completed before next month's regular meeting.
Young, who is developing several properties in Smithville and elsewhere, told the city council at a recent meeting that he would like to build a truck stop and restaurant on his property, but annexation into the city would be necessary before he could begin making serious plans.
“If you incorporate that into the city and we get that sewer pipe in, I will do the research on what it takes to put in a big truck stop with a restaurant. I did a deal like this years ago with Shell. I put up the property, they put up the building and I got a percentage. I don't know if it will fly now, but I will know actually what it takes to build one. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You put it together and I’ll find the two million dollars to build it,” Young told the council.
City eyes annexation
Developer plans truckstop

