DUANE SHERRILLEditor

The Tullahoma Planning Commission voted down a zoning request by FirstVision Bank to build an operations building off Jackson after numerous residents from the nearby neighborhood voiced opposition to any commercial intrusion into their cul-de-sac.

The 6-1 vote to not give a favorable recommendation to the re-zoning from residential to commercial came after Denise Ledford from FirstVision told the commission that the bank was eyeing a piece of property at 101 Wilkins Drive to build an operations facility.

“We have been part of the neighborhood for 20 years,” she pointed out in her request. “We will be mindful of the vibe of the neighborhood.”

She noted that plans were for the facility to be a low key annex where only employees of the bank would work. Customers would still do business at the already existing facility that fronts Jackson. She added it would be nicely landscaped and built so not to intrude on the surrounding neighborhood.

“We’ve run out of space,” she said.

While the bank assured the commission they would leave little footprint in the neighborhood behind the bank, residents were having none of it and lined up at the podium to express their displeasure at the plan.

Renata Stone said the idea of putting an operations building on Wilkins does not make sense.

“We love our quiet neighborhood,” she said. “Why ruin our quiet little neighborhood? Would anyone of you want a business next to their house? We don’t want it.”

Jay Merchant agreed with his neighbor, noting there are two small cul-de-sacs that lie behind where the operations facility would go.

“The bank is fine people,” he began. “This is a small neighborhood and no one wants this. I makes no sense.”

Jalen Mace did not mix words in her opposition to the operations facility.

“This is reckless and threatens our community,” she said. “This is not a canvas for commercial ambitions. It will make our neighborhood unlivable.”

The Commission had a bit of back and forth about the issue after hearing more neighbors in opposition. Commission Bill Comer expressed his opposition.

“At this time it is not a good idea to bite off little pieces,” he said.

Tullahoma Mayor Lynn Sebourn, in his role as a member of the Commission warned residents that even though Planning voted down the rezoning request that, given the location of the neighborhood just off Jackson, that there would be more pressure come to bear.

“This area will come up again,” he told those in attendance. “As cities grow there is change. There will be pressure on these properties.”