[ToC]
G R E S H A M S M ITH AN D P A R T N E R S
November 11, 2003
Mr. Robert G. Shearer City Manager City of Mt. Juliet 2425 N. Mt. Juliet Rd. P.O. Box 256 Mt. Juliet, TN 37121
SUBJECT: SR 171 (Mt. Juliet Road), From Division Street to Lebanon Road Wilson County
Dear Mr. Shearer:
I have received and reviewed the transcript of the Design Public Hearing held for the subject project on October 21, 2003 at Mt. Juliet High School in Mt Juliet, Tennessee. Approximately forty people attended the hearing with twelve comments being given either orally, by written comment card or letter. The comments were composed of one expressing support for the proposed project; and the others were, concerned with various aspects of this project. This last group of specific comments and responses are addressed as follows.
Comment: Steve Toler with Grace United Methodist Church commented that he would like a drawing of Tracts 110 and 119, Grace United Methodist Church properties. Specific concerns include sign locations and driveway entrances.
Disposition: 'Plans will be provided for these locations. The sign on Tract 110 is within the slope easement and will need to be relocated. The sign on Tract 119 is located within construction easement and will be noted to remain undisturbed. A meeting is suggested with the City and the Church to discuss the driveway location on Tract 119.
Comment: Patricia and Irene Bates commented that they would like the location of the Grace United Methodist Church driveway entrance relocated directly across from the Hillview Heights subdivision entrance. They are concerned with the volum6 of traff ic generated by the church property and offset of the existing entrance with Hillview Drive. Irene Bates commented that there have been two traffic fatalities in this vicinity.
Design Services For The Built Environment
1400 Nashville City Center / 511 Union Street / Nashville, Tennessee 37219 / Phone 615.770.8100 www.gspnet.com
Mr. Robert Shearer SR-1 71 (Mt. Juliet Road) November 11, 2003 Page 2
Disposition: A meeting is suggested with the City and the Church to discuss the driveway location on Tract 119. Improvements have been made along this section of Mt. Juliet Road, such as an increase in sight distance from Due West Drive to Timber Trail to increase safety along this section.
Comment: Robert and Mary DuBois commented that they are very concerned with any impact to the three large magnolia trees in their front yard. They explained any damage or removal of these trees would adversely affect the value of their property.
Disposition: The trees are located approximately fourteen feet behind the back of proposed sidewalk. They are shown within construction easement on Tract 115 and will be noted to remain undisturbed on the plans.
Comment: Robert Taylor, owner of TaylorMade Cafd, commented that tasteful, appropriate lighting be added to the CTC area and affects to property owners need to be discussed once all determinations/issues are confirmed. He also commented that Gresham and Smith did a good job in getting with the people affected and going over their concerns.
Disposition: This project does not include lighting of Mt. Juliet Road. Property owners will be made aware of any updates to the plans that will affect their property. Once right-of-way plans are completed, property owners will be contacted by right-ofway specialists regarding individual impacts to each parcel.
Comment: Robert Spears commented that he has three maple trees along his property within the proposed construction easement and he would like to see the trees remain.
Disposition: The trees are located approximately eleven feet behind the back of proposed sidewalk. They are shown within construction easement on Tract 155 and will be noted to remain undisturbed on the plans.
Comment: Linda McCorkle Eakes commented that she is concerned with the huge permanent drainage pipe which will remove part of her road frontage. She commented that this is already a narrow lot facing the street. She is concerned that the ability to sell the property may be hampered if permanent drainage is involved on one side of the lot.
Comment: The proposed drainage pipe at this location, Tract 68, is replacing an existing drainage pipe of the same size. This is a natural low point for the watershed and the permanent drainage easement is shown to the top of creek bank. Due to the existing topography, the location of this drainage pipe cannot be revised.
Comment: Bob Jones commented that he would like his driveway entrance moved.
Mr. Robert Shearer S R- 171 (Mt. J u I iet Road) November 11, 2003 Page 3
Disposition: A meeting is suggested with the City and Mr. Jones to discuss a new driveway location.
Comment: Garland and Janice Mahan, owner of Mt. Juliet Florist, had many concerns, including the entrance and exit to their parking lot, parking lot and road level, construction on West Caldwell Street, the elimination of the florist sign, loss of business due to time of construction and time of lease renewal. There is currently 100 feet of entrance and exit to the parking lot. They also commented that they would like individual parcel aids provided to landowners and that they were not given any information as to value on the property for acquisition. They were upset with general comments such as, "they will have to tell us" at the meeting.
Disposition: The entrance and exit to this parking lot can be widened to a maximum of forty feet. The existing parking lot can be raised to road level. The proposed grade on West Caldwell Street will not cause any additional drainage problems. There is currently a low spot behind the buildings at this location; however, there is no road construction planned for this area and it is located in private property. The florist sign is within the proposed right-of-way and will need to be removed or relocated. Once rightof-way plans are finalized, residents will be contacted by right-of-way specialists regarding property values. Individual parcel aids will be provided at this time. This is not done until right-of-way plans are complete with comments incorporated from this public hearing. Property values are assigned at that time.
Comment: John and Patricia Gwin commented that they are very concerned with the condition of their commercial tract after the proposed taking. They commented they are aware this section of Mt. Juliet Road will be much safer; however, they would like to see the following changes. 1.) Direct access to Mt. Juliet Road from their property. With almost 300 feet of highway frontage, no direct access to Mt. Juliet Road represents a "terrible, unacceptable diminution in the overall value and utility of the tract for all time." They are concerned that the only reason the state would do this is to avoid the expense of replacing their highway access to a point more northerly on the road frontage. 2.) They commented, "The damage to the commercial use is staggering". Also, a change of address from Mt. Juliet Road to Due West Drive would cause immediate damage to business operations. 3.) They are concerned about the new sign ordinance and the look of a new sign having to be built on a 3-to-1 slope.
Disposition: The Gwin driveway will be relocated to have direct access off of Mt. Juliet Road approximately 165 feet north of the existing centerline on Due West Drive. Between Due West Drive and the Gwin driveway, the backslope from Mt. Juliet Road will be on a 6-to-1 slope improving sight distance from Due West Drive. A new sign can be placed behind the proposed right-of-way on the 6-to-1 slope.
Comment: Herman Griff in expressed his thanks for continuing the second stage of the Mt. Juliet Road Project. He commented the project is sorely needed to alleviate some of the traffic problems.
Mr. Robert Shearer SR-1 71 (Mt. Juliet Road) November 11, 2003 Page 4
Comment: Virginia Fuqua commented that she wanted to make sure that when the road was widened that there is a driveway or at least a curb cut, preferably sixteen feet, that will allow entrance onto the lot. Currently there is a culvert coming off of Mt. Juliet Road that allows entrance onto the property.
Disposition: A twenty foot curb cut is currently shown on the plans for future access to Tract 120. A new driveway to this property would exceed a 20% grade and would be difficult to maneuver. A curb cut is available for future development of the parcel.
This office plans to proceed with the proposed design of the project, taking into consideration the above comments and dispositions.
Sincerely,
Cliff, Smith, P.E. Project Manager
file
By my signature below, I concur with the planned procedure of this project.
Robert Shearer, City Manager, City of Mt. Juliet Date
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