John Coffelt, Editor

Two annexations and a rezoning request were approved during the Jan. 7 meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen after being brought back before the board for reconsideration.

 Request for the annexation of 99 acres on Murfreesboro Highway owned by Robert Gilley and a second request for the annexation of 10.37 acres on Sisson Lane owned by Donald Parker failed during the November BOMA meeting. The first reading of an ordinance rezoning property owned by Ronnie Randall passed 4-1 with Vice Mayor Mark Messick voting no and Alderman James Threet absent.

 The annexes also passed along with approval of plans of service for the properties 4-1 with Alderman Julie Anderson voting no. The first readings of the ordinances zoning the properties passed with the same vote.

 The approval of these annexes passed with a single comment by members of the board and none by the public during the meeting.

 Alderman Donny Parsley asked Gilley about what services he currently expects from the city for the property.

 “I’m not expecting any services,” Gilley said. “I knew that from the start.”

Gilley said the request for R-4 high density residential fits with the plans for the area. No current plans are expected for the development of the property. 

BOMA initially addressed the requests during the Nov. 19 special call meeting. The Parker annex failed due to a lack of second and the Gilley annex failed with Alderman Thomas Crosslin voting yes and Alderman Ryan French, Anderson and Mesick voting no. Aldermen Threet and Donny Parsley were absent.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.