Two decisions by the Cookeville Board of Zoning Appeals could signal the long-awaited Speedway Gas Station project will move forward on Jefferson Avenue.
Board of Zoning Appeals Member Michael Detwiler said the variances requested included a grade to the parking lot to allow the parking areas to exceed five percent of the property. The board also allowed a maximum width of 50 feet for the driveway. Detwiler said the driveway variance will greatly improve how the Walmart entrance looks on Jefferson Avenue.
“It will also line up that property at the red light so that it functions very well,” Detwiler said. “So obviously those are things that the city is interested in. Making sure that it’s visually appealing and then also lines up properly.”
Detwiler said the approval for the variances has a one-year time limit. The project at the old Payless Shoe Store location first came before city and county officials three years ago.
“Speedway has been before us I think three times on this,” Detwiler said. “They were planning to build it and then were acquired by 7-11 and so it’s taken a little longer for them to get the project done.”
Detwiler said all that is left is for Speedway to obtain a building permit and begin building.
“They have that and they fully expect to break ground on that project very soon,” Detwiler said. “I would say in a broad sense we could see something happening in the next 60 to 90 days.”
