Planning Commission Hears Concerns Over Proposed Dollar General

The Hohenwald Planning Commission met Monday, June 5. After the previous meeting’s minutes were approved, the floor was opened to citizen input. The room was filled, as expected, after a call-to-action was made by TCAT President Kelli Kea Carroll during a Facebook post explaining TCAT’s master plan to purchase the property, yet their inability to do so due to the land being purchased and currently under contract by another entity.

“I appear before this commission,” Mrs. Carroll began, “as TCAT President, regarding the TCAT master plan. On behalf of TCAT Hohenwald, when the two acre parcel of land began to be flagged, I contacted the county assessor, Travis Hinson, after the property was purchased on May 2, 2022, who informed me it had been purchased by Barry Tenison and Shannon Banks, and that it was a matter of public record.” Barry Tenison initially bought the land to put a gas station on. However, he and Shannon then purchased the land together to put houses on. The two posted the land for sale, publicly, and the third-party representative for Dollar General, Elliot Morrissey, approached the sellers and bought the land. “I then attempted to contact Mr. Tenison,” Mrs. Carroll continued. “My intent in contacting the property owners on May 24, 2023, was to find out if TCAT would be able to buy the property before the deal with Dollar General was struck. However, it was already in a 90 day contract. I did, then, contact Dollar General, and I was told there was no likelihood of selling to TCAT as the third party developer was intent on developing newer stores. I then asked if they knew the ordinances regarding the sale of beer and tobacco in such close proximity to schools.” According to Vice Mayor Don Barber, when liquor-by-the-drink was passed here, Lewis County did away with all city ordinances pertaining to alcohol. So, whatever State Law is, is what we abide by. It would be up to Codes Inspector Brad Rasbury to confirm the property proximity. Mr. Rasbury confirmed, “Just like Last Chance Market. They can sell cigarettes but not beer due to the 300 foot rule. A property selling alcohol has to be, according to State Law, 300 feet from a park, church, or system of education.”

She added, “I would like to say I am not against the sale of property to profit anyone who is trying to better themselves, such as Mr. Banks and Mr. Tenison. I am, however, concerned about the land being zoned commercial with the proximity as it relates to Lewis County Schools and TCAT.” It was told that former TCAT Director Rick Brewer offered Judy Mercer, former land owner of the two acre parcel, $58,000. She did not accept the offer as she was uninterested in selling at the time. Kelli closed with her request that TCAT have first option to buy if Dollar General does not end up purchasing, as their master plan includes a 10,000 square foot expansion for training, welding, as well as automotive.

The Vice President of TCAT, as well as Student Services Coordinator Shasta Carroll, were both there in support. Shasta pointed out that TCAT’s dual enrollment with high school students increased three times and is expected to increase further. The concern was regarding high school students being on TCAT property with Dollar General selling tobacco and alcohol nearby. She also reminded the commission of the plans to build the new high school and voiced concerns of the middle school moving to the old high school and how the builds will affect middle school students.

City Council member Scottie Bass questioned if the matter had been voted on previously, to which Mayor Danny McKnight reminded it was voted on at the May City Council meeting. Mr. Barber replied, “it’s officially passed on the second reading, always. That’s state law.” He went on to say, “I’ve been here 27 years, and it has always been like this: when a request for rezoning request is proposed to the planning commission, it has to pass the planning commission first. It then gets recommended to the city council. Then, there has to be two readings. The first is basically a formality. The second reading is required to have a public hearing. By state law, there has to be a sign posted on the property providing public notice on a certain date. That way, the neighbors adjoining the property will have a right to make comment regarding the intentions. If it makes sense, the plans would be approved on a second reading of the City Council meeting. That is the only dealings the BZA, Planning Commission, or City Council have regarding the property. Beyond that, it is a private business deal, and the City has nothing to do with it. The Board of Zoning Appeals comes in when you have an odd shaped lot, and the owner needs, say, 3 feet to bring the trapezoid shaped lot, to a buildable space. The BZA would, through public hearing, then bring approval.”

Scottie Bass posed the question, “Given the fact of who they are and what they do for us, would it be possible for us to table the second reading tomorrow night to give them time to try to purchase the property?” It was reminded that the land is currently under contract, not for sale, and it is not the authority of the City. The City Council is simply rezoning the land, which would not affect the private sale and build of the matter, and by state law, there has to be two consecutive readings.

Mr. Morrissey was at the meeting with the site plans. Brad Rasbury informed of the changes that needed to be made: four additional parking places, and a boundary variance will needed to be added to the west side if they do not choose to move closer to TCAT.

Mr. Morrissey responded, “I want to be a good neighbor, so I’d like to ask Mrs. Carroll what the TCAT’s preference is on whether to move closer to TCAT or build a variance.”

The motion was approved on the condition that the variance be added as well as the four parking spots. All were in favor, with the exception of Bass who passed, and the plan will now go to the Board of Zoning Appeals.