County rejects rezoning to allow RV park
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
That was proved at Monday night’s meeting of the Anderson County Commission when a number of citizens spoke against a proposed zoning change at 140 Stardust Lane in Andersonville.
The proposed change from A-2 (Rural-Residential District) to A-1 (Agricultural-Forestry District) would have allowed the property owner to construct RV sites on the land.
Several residents stated that the area was residential and not suitable for RV camping. They feared increased traffic and decreased property values, and noted that there were several nearby campgrounds. The commission sided with the objectors and denied the request. Commissioner Shelly Vandagriff said she had received over 30 emails and none were in favor of the proposed zoning.
However, commissioners did approve a zoning change from A-2 (Rural Residential District) to C-1 (General Commercial District) for property on Oliver Springs Highway at Marlow Circle in Clinton. Commissioner Shain Vowell cast the lone dissenting vote. This change paved the way for property owner Steve Mullins to construct a Dollar General Store on the property. “This place lends itself to be commercial property,” said Mullins. He noted that the property was not suitable for a house site or pasture land. He also said that Dollar General does a lot of good for local communities.“I think it would be awesome to have a store there for convenience,” asserted Commissioner Jerry White.
Turning to other business, commissioners approved a request for $125 from Dutch Valley Elementary School for a school-wide field trip and a request for $500 from Anderson County High School for wrestling equipment as well as a $350 request from Clinton High School for equipment for the boys’ basketball team. The money was to come from the Waste Management fund.
Commissioners approved that a letter of intent be sent to the state signifying that they were going to apply for grants dealing with domestic violence, illegal narcotics use and crime analysis.
After a lengthy discussion the commission decided to wait unto next month when more information would be available before taking any action on the sale of the tourism building and construction of a new building.
Upon recommendation of Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank commissioners appointed Anthony Allen to the Regional Solid Waste Board with a term ending in September of 2026.
Commissioners approved commitment of delinquent property tax held by Anderson County to be used in lieu of matching fund grants to Highland Communications for a broadband package.
Commissioners authorized the mayor to submit an application for an Energy Communities Alliance Government Education and Outreach Grant. This grant is for communities impacted by DOE cleanup actions to increase education and outreach campaigns.
The mayor also informed the commission that the county had received a $1.86 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration for Gibbs Ferry Park. This grant would be used for such things as lighting, restrooms, boat docks and possibly to improve highway access to the park.
“Public education is doing good in Anderson County,” Dr. Tim Parrott, director of the school system said as he announced that a national education group had named Fairview Elementary School as one of the top 100 schools in the nation for academic achievement.
Animal control got an early Christmas present when commissioners moved $13,800 from the undesignated fund balance to be used by animal control for such things a security camera, required lighting for vehicles, a badge entry system and radios for animal control officers.
