October 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
A Smithville woman wants to build a cosmetology school with dreams of one day expanding the facility into something like a Motlow College learning center for persons hoping to enter the medical field.
Jada Cantrell addressed the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen with her idea Monday night and to ask that the 42 acres of property she owns near Wal-mart be rezoned from residential to commercial. The planning commission has already considered the request and made a favorable recommendation. But before taking action, Mayor Josh Miller and the aldermen want to hear from the public since this 42 acre site, which might one day all be used for commercial purposes, is located in the heart of a large residential area and could potentially affect home values.
The property is located off Broad Street beside and to the rear of Wal-mart extending to the O’Conner Street, Cooper Street, and Oak Glen Drive neighborhoods.
“I want to put a beauty school there on this property,” said Cantrell. I want to help our community bring in revenue. I know each one of you (mayor and aldermen) have children and grandchildren and I would like to see them have a job in the coming future. Its not all about a beauty (school). It’s also got to do with medical. The state of Tennessee has passed it that the cosmetology program can help them (students) get a nursing degree, doctor’s degree, medical assistant, and accepted when it comes to anything medical. I think it is wonderful that our state has passed it so that we can bring in more jobs for our state. I would like to help our community and the surrounding counties. I’m starting small but eventually it’s going to be like Motlow. I pray that you pass this (rezoning) for me to put this (property) in commercial,” said Cantrell.
Mayor Miller called for a public hearing to give residents who may have concerns to address the aldermen on this issue.
“There are a lot of residential homes that surround this. You have newer homes on Oak Glenn Drive in that subdivision. You have Cooper Street and its across the road from O’Conner Street and all this is residential. This is something I think you (aldermen) need to keep in mind. Could that do something to home values?” My recommendation first would be to have a public hearing,” said Mayor Miller.
The aldermen voted to table the request until a public hearing is held. The date and time of the hearing have not yet been set.