Citizens Fear Infrastructure Wont Handle New Development
Hands-tied, Planning Commission Approves New Sub-Division
Chase Matheson - february 16, 2025
COFFEE COUNTY - 10 years ago you could buy a modest, single-family brick home within an hour of Nashville for around $90,000. Hundreds of new people are moving to Tennessee each day, which has heavily increased the demand for housing.
That same house would now cost $250,000 or more. With the sharp increase in demand, there has also been a similar increase in development. In some communities the influx of new homes is putting a strain on local infrastructure and eating up large swaths of Tennessee's farmland.
Recently the Patriot Punk Network attended a very emotional planning commission meeting in Coffee County. The hot topic of the night was a 39-home development in the Hillsboro community. Hillsboro is a small agricultural town that sits between Murfreesboro and Chattanooga just a few miles off I-24.
The 39 proposed houses would adjoin farmland and increase the demands on local infrastructure. For those reasons and others, the room was packed with people present to voice their concerns.
Nicholas Northcutt, representing the developer, made the case for his client's proposed subdivision to start the meeting. Hear Mr. Northcutt's opening by watching the video below.
Despite Mr. Northcutt's statements, many citizens spoke out against the new subdivision. Quinn Sullivan, advocate with Save Coffee County, TN began by raising concerns with an old cemetery he claims to have found at the site of the proposed development.
Terry Floyd, a Coffee County building inspector speaking in his personal capacity, brought up the officials' fear of litigation. "I know everyone is worried about being sued...well, sooner or later we're going to have to take a stand."
Several local multi-generational farmers such as Mike Ryan and Shawn Jones spoke about the effect the development might have on their farms and expressed concerns about the areas limited infrastructure. Listen to Mr. Jones & Mr. Bryan give their heartfelt statements.
Sue Sipe, who hadn't planned on speaking thanked the Planning Commissioners for the service they provide, but said "it was a sad day."
Two County Commissioners also spoke up in-support of protecting the farming communities in Coffee County. Tim Brown and Terry Hershman both promised to take steps to prevent agricultural degradation in the future.
Several others also spoke at the meeting, voicing similar concerns, but perhaps the most interesting part of the meeting came near the end.
Just before the final approval, commission member Rodney Duncan asked about the fire coverage.
"If we put 40 houses on that water line is the fire still going to be safe for all the rest of the neighbors? Or is it going to lower the water pressure that the fire department can't go to a house fire?" Watch that exchange below.
Mr. Northcutt's response, "The existing line does not meet fire protection coverage, and it would not meet it with this. There's not fire protection coverage for miles."
A few tempers flared and people were clearly emotional for the remainder of the discussion, but in the end everyone understood their hands were tied.
Statewide citizens' opinions on development seem to vary. Most people we polled believe that farmland is being over-developed, but similarly they believe people should be able to develop their land if they want to if it falls within the legal standards. The real question is can the infrastructure handle it?
The development was ultimately approved and the next step is TDEC, who will look at approving septic on the 39 lots. That meeting is scheduled at 4pm February 25 at the Coffee County admin building. Stay up to date with information about the phases of development by joining the Save Coffee County TN Facebook group.
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