By Bill Grubb
News Editor

ROGERSVILLE - Bringing city property into the city is the goal of an annexation ordinance approved by the Rogersville Planning Commission.
    The commission approved, and sent to the city council, an ordinance that will annex the approximately five acres used by the city street department, located on Colonial Road, into the city limits.
    "Right now the city owns that property and the street department uses it but it's just outside the city," Planner Cherith Marshall, of the First Tennessee Development District, explained.
    "I think it's time to bring the city into the city," Commission Member and Alderman Brian Hartness said.
    The commission also heard from Marshall regarding the status of revisions to Rogersville's Planned Unit Development (PUD) and sign ordinances.
    "I'm still working on the PUD ordinance.  Right now I'm working on a requirement that we include some things, such as the location of fences and street lights, in a site plan before we approve it," Marshall said.
    She also said that the way a PUD is bonded, regarding street development, is slightly different from a subdivision and she wants to include the right language.
    Marshall also noted different cities have varying types of sign ordinance language, ranging from simple requirements to complex formulas based on a building's size or distance from the road.
    "I need some direction on this, but I'm hoping you agree with the idea less is more when it comes to regulations," the planner said, with the group agreeing with the concept of having simple regulations which would be more enforceable.
     Planning commission members also approved a request to reclassify several lots on Broadway, near the John Slaughter veterinary office, from high density residential use to neighborhood business use.
    Plans are for the property to eventually be used as an air conditioner and heating repair office.
    Building Inspector Steve Nelson noted the office is an acceptable use and did not require zoning.    
    "If something does go in there, there are better rules than there were years ago to protect you as a neighbor.   There would have to be some trees planted buffering this property from your property," Hartness assured a neighboring resident.