Clarksville City Council Regular Session - November 6, 2025

The Clarksville City Council held its regular session on November 6, 2025, at 6 PM in the City Council Chambers. The agenda was dominated by a lengthy Planning Commission public hearing on multiple zoning changes, followed by a consent agenda, committee reports, and new business. The meeting featured significant debates on the establishment of a new Gas and Water Board and the approval of grant funds for oral drug testing equipment. Councilman Chandler delivered an emotional tribute to veterans and announced his remission from cancer. The Mayor noted the absence of Councilmembers Smith, Haywood, and Lovato at the start of the meeting, though Smith and Haywood participated fully in the proceedings later in the evening, indicating a discrepancy between the initial roll call and actual attendance.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted 12-0. Items included Certificate of Compliance resolutions for wine sales at Kroger #580 and Sudden Service #75, a retail liquor store certificate for Cork and Caps Liquor Store (repealing a previous one for Barrel and Bottle Liquor Store), appointments to various boards, and the adoption of the October 2, 2025, meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony (Planning Commission Public Hearing)

• Z-39 (Chris Dority, Pollard Rd, R1/R3 to R4): Applicant Chris Dority spoke in favor, stating he is an electrician/dump truck driver trying to provide for his family, noting the property has a bus stop and arguing the roads can handle the traffic. Michael Dillon, a direct neighbor, spoke in opposition, presenting a petition with signatures from surrounding property owners and renters who do not want an apartment complex. Anthony Wood, a long-time neighbor, also opposed the change, citing severe traffic safety issues on Pollard Rd and questioning the applicant's timeline for development.
• Z-40 (Janet Palmer/Garrett, Memorial Dr, R1 to O1): Richard and Laquivia Garrett spoke in favor of rezoning property they are purchasing. They stated they plan to rehabilitate a dilapidated single-family house into a low-traffic real estate office, arguing the O-1 zoning is a logical extension of the existing commercial corridor and will eliminate a blighted structure. No one spoke in opposition during the public hearing. Councilwoman Smith initially mentioned a petition existed, but later corrected the record, clarifying the petition was for a different case (Meriwether Rd) and that she would vote in favor.
• Z-41 (Michael T. Booth/Rita, Dotsonville Rd, R2 to R2A): Developer Ricky Rita spoke in favor, explaining he lowered the density request from R-6 to R-2A to be more conducive to the neighborhood, and emphasized existing infrastructure like sidewalks and bus routes. No one spoke in opposition.
• Z-42 (John Mark Holleman, Paradise Hill Rd, R1 to R6): No members of the public spoke on this item. Councilwoman McLaughlin accidentally began to argue against it, confusing it with another larger project on Trenton Rd, before correcting herself.
• Z-43 (Shaun Robertson, Meriwether Rd, AG to R5): William Drexel, a civil engineer and resident, opposed the change, citing the absence of a proper 16-hour traffic study, severe congestion from nearby schools, and a lack of sewer capacity without trespassing on existing properties. Kevin Bean, representing the Meriwether Farms Phase 2 HOA, formally objected, raising concerns about high-density incompatibility, infrastructure strain, property rights for sewer easements, and significant flooding in April 2025 that caused 12-21 inches of water in crawlspaces and cost him $30,000 in repairs.
• Z-45 (Faith Investments, College St, M2 to C2): Jamie Wallace spoke in favor, calling M-2 heavy industrial uncharacteristic for the area. No opposition.
• Z-46 (William Page, Hwy 41A Bypass, R4 to C5): Sean Berner spoke in favor, stating the site will be used for a corporate office headquarters. No opposition.
• Z-47 (Michael Burkhart, Madison St, R4 to C2): Mike Burkhart spoke in favor, detailing his family's long history with the property. Bethany Obendorfer, the prospective tenant, spoke passionately in favor of her concept, "Tiny Mothers General Store," a community-focused market and wellness hub, emphasizing historic restoration, addressing a healthy food access gap, and minimal traffic impact. Councilwoman Smith confirmed Obendorfer had spoken to residents who were excited. No opposition.
• AB-04 (Right-of-Way Abandonment, Cambridge Rd): No public testimony.

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee:
  • Ordinance 21 (Liquor Store Applications): Councilwoman McLaughlin explained the update requires applicants to prove they have permission to use a submitted address for the lottery, addressing a previous issue where 67 applicants for a license used the same exact address. (Passed 12-0).
  • Ordinances 22-24 (Habitat for Humanity Land Purchases): Three ordinances authorizing the purchase of properties on Plum St, Sampson St, and Brooks Aly for affordable housing construction were considered and passed together (11-0-1).
  • Ordinance 25 (Gas and Water Board Establishment): Councilwoman Smith voiced strong reservations, arguing a five-member board is insufficient for 250,000 consumers, expressing fears of privatization and a loss of council control over rates and fee increases. Mayor Pitts and Councilman Streetman clarified that state law mandates five members, the council approves board appointments, and the council would retain authority over any future privatization vote. Councilman Brown noted the CDE board operates under the same size structure. (Passed 11-1).
  • Resolution 24 (Oral Drug Testing Equipment MOU): Councilwoman Smith raised concerns about drivers who are medically prescribed narcotics, asking how police would differentiate between medical use and recreational impairment. Councilwoman McLaughlin clarified the equipment is a voluntary test tool for law enforcement in fatal accident investigations to help determine if substances were involved, not for routine traffic stops, and only three specially trained officers would administer it. (Passed 11-1).
• New Business:
  • Ordinance 36 (Payment Extension Agreements): Councilwoman McLaughlin sponsored the ordinance, allowing the Clarksville Gas and Water Department to offer a 14-day payment extension to customers facing hardship, such as from the government shutdown, aligning their policy with CDE's existing practice. The council voted to consider the emergency item (11-0-1) and then passed it 12-0 on first reading. A special session was scheduled for November 12, 2025, for the second reading.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Cases (First Reading):
  • Passed: Z-41 (Dotsonville Rd, R2A) (11-1), Z-42 (Paradise Hill Rd, R6) (10-1-1), Z-45 (College St, C2) (12-0), Z-46 (Hwy 41A Bypass, C5) (12-0), Z-47 (Madison St, C2) (11-1).
  • Failed: Z-39 (Pollard Rd, R4) (0-12), Z-40 (Memorial Dr, O1) (4-8), Z-43 (Meriwether Rd, R5) (0-12).
  • Right-of-Way Abandonment: Resolution 29 (Cambridge Rd) adopted (12-0).
• Finance Items (First Reading): Ordinance 21 (12-0), Ordinances 22-24 (11-0-1), Ordinance 25 (11-1), Ordinance 26 (12-0) passed.
• Grant Authorization: Resolution 24 (Oral Drug Testing MOU) adopted (11-1).
• Utility Assistance: Ordinance 36 (Payment Extension Agreements) passed first reading (12-0).
• Council Comments & Other Business:
  • Councilman Brown announced the opening of a new driver's license testing center.
  • Councilman Chandler honored his father and father-in-law as WWII veterans and publicly shared his personal victory over cancer.
  • Councilwoman McLaughlin promoted the Wreaths Across America program for Riverview Cemetery, the Hunters for the Hungry program, and early voting dates for the 7th Congressional District special election.
  • The Mayor paid tribute to Jane Burkhardt, a long-time city employee.
  • The report on debt obligations (interfund loan) was officially entered into the record.