Cookeville City Council passed changes to the city zoning code Thursday night designed to encourage the use of planned residential developments.
Planning Director Jon Ward said the changes to the perimeter setbacks and screening requirements that had been in place kept developers from looking at PRDs. Planned residential developments can be a way to encourage innovation in land use, Ward said.
Council also approved the purchase of a new dump truck for the public works department. The $165,000 item was budgeted. Public works also asked for additional money to complete the repair of a backhoe started earlier this year. Department director Blake Mayo said the total of $55,000 in repairs should net the city an additional of five-plus years of service.
Council approved a three-year agreement for generator manintenance at the new police department. The fire department will move forward with the purchase of four new sets of turnout gear. The annually budgeted item came in at some $11,000.
New council member Ali Bagci will serve as the council representative on the Planning Commission.
