Written by Brian Zacharias
Clarksville City Council – Ward 1
Clarksville, TN – On Thursday, April 28th, the Clarksville City Council met for its monthly executive session. The votes tracker is updated with links to each of the ordinances and resolutions that were on the agenda.
For rezoning applications, this includes a map of the area as well as comments from the relevant city departments. As always, I welcome your feedback!
April 28th Executive Session
Here are the items on the April executive session agenda that I want to highlight.
Ordinance 110-2021-22: This rezoning application is to change the zoning of property directly across the street from the Speedway gas station on the east end of Tiny Town Road. I am opposed to this ordinance for a couple reasons.
There are some residents in Ward 1 that are currently dealing with an incredible eyesore because someone has decided to use property zoned C-5 to store junked and inoperable vehicles on the grass next to their homes.
Ordinance 107-2021-22: This is an eminent domain case that involves 15 properties affected by the planned Spring Creek Parkway project meant to connect Trenton Road and Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. I can honestly say that I am undecided about this ordinance.
Eminent domain often evokes images of angry landowners having their property taken by the city against their will. In many cases, this one included, that is not the reality of the situation. In the case of mortgaged properties, a lender has to agree to a sale before a landowner can sell their property, or rights to use their property, to the city.
Banks are notoriously slow in responding to this type of request, and often charge a fee to do so. In this case, the majority of the owners affected by this project are in favor of it and have reached agreements with the city regarding compensation for use of their land. Invoking the power of eminent domain forces the mortgage holders to act on these requests.
Additionally, this connector road would help lessen traffic on I-24 at exits 1 and 4 , Trenton Road, and Wilma Rudolph Boulevard; all areas we know need relief. Also, I believe we need to consider the fact that a previous city council has already passed an ordinance authorizing the city to use the power eminent domain to complete this project.
I don’t think that subsequent city councils are beholden to the votes of their predecessors but they should be considered when a project that requires as much planning as this one is involved. Half of the seats on our city council are elected every two years. If every council votes to halt the projects the previous council approved, the problems compound.
We’ve seen this in the county with the Kirkwood school complex, which had to be relocated due to votes by a newly seated county commission. Incidentally, it is the new location for Kirkwood that has driven the need to widen that part of Rossview Road which has resulted in another unpopular eminent domain case.
On the other hand, I believe that the overcrowding we’re experiencing in parts of the city is a self-inflicted wound. This is the result of adding density to areas where insufficient infrastructure exists to support it. I don’t like the reinforcing the idea that the city can continue to approve increased density, create these issues, and then solve them through the use of eminent domain.
Please reach out to me and let me know how you feel about this issue!
Comprehensive Plan Community Questionnaire
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) wants to hear from you! This is your opportunity to influence the future of our city. The RPC is in the process of creating a Comprehensive Plan for future growth and development of Clarksville.
The Comprehensive Plan will outline the existing conditions of Clarksville-Montgomery County, describe future goals and objectives for development and include an action plan on how to achieve these goals and objectives. Please take the time to fill out this survey!
Voter Registration
The Ward 1 election cycle falls during mid-term elections, which historically sees lower voter turn-out than elections where people have the opportunity to vote for the president. The last time the residents of Ward 1 voted for their city council representative, 956 voters chose the representative for a ward of almost 12,000 residents.
The State of Tennessee has made it very easy to register to vote online, either through its GoVote TN website or through the GoVoteTN app on your smartphone. Click the button below to visit the GoVoteTN webside, or search Apple’s App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) for the GoVoteTN app. The process takes less than 10 minutes and guarantees your voice is heard in upcoming elections!
Schedule an Appointment
I want to hear from you. My phone number and email address are public, but I am learning that there are times when a face-to-face meeting would be more appropriate, depending on the issue.
If you would like to discuss an issue facing Ward 1 or Clarksville in general, please use the form linked below and we can schedule a meeting. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible!
Past and Future Votes
Transparency in government, especially local government, is extremely important to me. At any time, anyone can click the ‘Votes’ button to see my complete voting history as well as ordinances and resolutions on the City Council’s agenda for consideration in upcoming meetings.
What Has Your Councilman Been Doing?
April 7th – City Council Regular Session
April 26th – Finance Committee Meeting
April 29th – City Council Executive Session
What Is Your Councilman Going To Be Doing?
May 5th – City Council Regular Session
May 9th – Finance Committee Budget Overview
May 10th – Finance Committee Budget Review Meetings
May 13th – Neighborhood and Community Services Budget Meeting
May 26th – City Council Executive Session
