Wednesday, September 28, 2011 6:00 am

One item on the agenda for the Cannon County Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night drew special community interest.

Around 30 residents of the Bradyville Road-Readyville area attended the meeting to voice concerns about a proposed rock quarry on Bradyville Road.

Planning Commission Chairman Boyd Barker began the discussion by saying that zoning is a possible solution to keep businesses like rock quarries from locating anywhere in the county they want. Zoning has been discussed. but it was noted that no County in the Upper Cumberland had zoning laws in place.

Chairman Barker suggested that if the public wants the County to implement zoning policies and procedures that they need to talk to each individual County Commissioner. If the Commissioners pass a resolution for zoning ordinances, the Planning Commission would then take over and help make up the zoning ordinances and various residential and commercial zone.

The Planning Commission also mentioned that if zoning were to happen in Cannon County, more than likely the County would have to hire an inspector to enforce the zoning.

Although zoning would not have any effect on the proposed rock quarry at 962 Bradyville Road as it would be considered grandfathered in, residents in attendance started asking various questions of what they could do to keep the rock quarry from locating on that property.

The quarry known as Stones River Quarry out of Flat Rock, Indiana has already started the process of gathering the permits it needs from the State Of Tennnessee in order to start operations. However, before each permit is issued, there will be public hearings at which residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns in conjunction with the particular permit that is possibly being issued.

County Executive Mike Gannon has been for zoning but repeated that the decision for zoning in Cannon County lies with the County Commissioners. Even with zoning in place, the County could not stop a quarry from starting up operations; however, with zoning policies in place the County could control where operations exist.

It was discovered that TDOT has to have a plan from the quarry before signing off on the approval. As of Tuesday the Stones River Quarry had not submitted a plan to the Tennessee Department Of Transportation. Once the plan is submitted the Department will conduct a traffic flow study on the area that the quarry will effect.

Residents voiced concerns of property values diminishing, traffic problem possibilities, foundations of homes on property surrounding the quarry being affected during blasting and the overall appearance of the County as
people travel in from Rutherford County.

Executive Gannon said that he will talk to TDOT to see what can be done in addition to continuing talks with Representative Mark Pody and Mae Beavers.

In another development concerning the quarry. The Tennessee Division Of Air pollution control has received requests for construction and or modification of air contaminant sources. The regulations require public notification along with a 30 day public comment period. Anyone interested in expressing comments and concerns about the Quarry and the possible Air Pollution issues may express their concerns in writing to Mr. Barry R. Stephens Director, Division Of Air Pollution Control 9th Floor L&C Annex 401 Church Street Nashville TN 37243-1531. The Deadline for written comments is October 27th

Before discussion of the quarry began, the Planning Commission approved a two lot division of a plat at the Robert Reed Acres Subdivison on Hollow Springs Road.

In the August meeting, an issue was brought up concerning the developer of the Cannon Downs Subdivision who's surety bonds expired before the finishing of the tarring and chipping of the road. The recommendation was made that Cannon County Attorney Mike Corley send a letter to the developer to start the process of getting the matter fixed.

However, in talking with Attorney Corley, he advised that it is out of the counties hands since the bond had expired and the County hadn't accepted responsibility yet as the project was never completed. The Planning Commission suggested that the property owners of the subdivision work something out with the developer as it is out of the County's hands.