April 9, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Another step toward annexation!
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen met and adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing on the proposed annexation and approval of a plan of services for property located at 746 East Broad Street by owner consent. The public hearing will be held during the next monthly meeting on Monday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at city hall. The city is to send adjoining property owners notification by letter.
The owners of Hollingshead Materials, LLC (Smyrna Ready Mix) concrete batching company bordering the city limits of Smithville are seeking annexation of two parcels including one where the SRM company now operates (Map 065, Parcel 073.04) and the adjoining vacant property (Parcel 073.05). The land (9 total acres) is situated between East Broad Street, Midway Road, and Terrell Road.
Last month, the Smithville Planning Commission recommended approval of a plan of services for the proposed annexation.
According to City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson the city already has most services accessible to the proposed site.
“Basically, what we have to do is show that city police and fire fighting services are available. He already has (city) water. The sewer is on septic already. He doesn’t need city sewer. He already has electric. He can have sanitation. It (plan of services) just shows that everything with street lighting and everything is fully covered,” said Hendrixson.
“Let me add to that the concrete plant may be on septic but the property next to it could be developed. I’m assuming they would probably need a pump station,” said Mayor Josh Miller.
During the public comment period, Steven Cantrell raised concerns.
“Concerning resolution 2025-A adopting a plan of services for an annexation request by Hollingshead Materials, LLC, what is the cost benefit ratio to the city of Smithville in approving the Hollingshead annexation request? While the immediate answer may be city tax revenue, the other answer might be so Hollingshead can build more houses on its adjoining lot because of city sewage services vice the restrictions concerning home to septic tank land requirements. Increasing the load on the aging city sewage and water systems is not without costs. In addition, if the city were to annex the property as requested, will it also adopt responsibility for the adjoining county road, and if so at what cost,” said Cantrell.
Mayor Miller said he had inquired last year with the city engineer about sewage service capacity.
“There are a lot of subdivisions going in and my question was how much (sewer service) we can handle. I talked to Daniel Tribble, Manager of Field Services for JR Wauford and Company of Nashville and he said Josh you’re good. That was probably a year ago. That is why we are doing a lot of infrastructure projects that needs to be done. I don’t think we are to that point to say we can’t build any more houses in the city,” said Mayor Miller.
The mayor gave an update on a sewer rehab project underway on South College Street in the area of Green Brook Park.
“They are still working on our sewer project. They are still about a month away from actually getting into Green Brook Park. It’s not very pretty over there right now. As nice as the weather is right now the park gets used a lot. We will have the splash pad open the first of May. It won’t be affected. Again, it will be about a month before they get into the park and start working. They are going to put up more roping to kinda keep kids away. I know it will be an aggravation this summer,” said Mayor Miller.
Also brought up by the mayor was a request from a downtown business owner for the city to install speed bumps on West Main Street.
“There have been speed bumps before on West Main and it didn’t work out,” said City Public Works Director Kevin Robinson.
“At one time before I was on the city council, the aldermen at that time came to the conclusion that there would be no speed bumps on thru streets,” said Alderman Shawn Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Steven Cantrell spoke to another concern during the public comment period.
“Concerning the contract with Blue Line Solutions and the high-profile automated school zone photo enforcement system it is my understanding that Blue Line Solutions may not proceed with the requirements under your contract until after a traffic study has been completed at all three schools. I realize it is the city’s requirement to commission and fund the traffic study because under Tennessee law, Blue Line is not allowed to commission and fund the study. However, once the city directed study has been completed, Blue Line may/will reimburse the city for the study. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no updates to the tax paying public on the progress or lack of progress on this high-profile automated school zone photo enforcement system. I’m sure the public would appreciate an update, e.g., when will/or if the study has been completed and what the next step is,” said Cantrell.
On other matters, Cantrell said “I would like to thank Ms. (Jessica) Higgins and others who may have attended the City Cemetery fundraiser. We raised approximately $12,000 for the ongoing Restoration and Enhancement effort of the city’s Historic Cemetery”.
“I would also like to thank the mayor for the new stop sign at Walnut and North College Street that he and I had discussed. It’s in place,” added Cantrell.
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen will have a special called meeting to discuss amending the budget and possibly taking action on a new garbage truck on Monday April 14th at 5:30pm. followed by a city budget workshop.