Eagleville’s city planner presented a proposed calendar at the May meeting that would require requests for consideration to be presented about five or six weeks before the planning commission meeting at which they would be heard.

The planning commission’s current practice has been to allow someone who is not on the agenda but just shows up at a planning commission meeting to present a proposal.

City planner Bo Logan, who works for the local planning office of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, said his proposal would bring "a lot of structure to the meetings" because all parties would know what is expected of them.

The calendar works especially well in smaller cities that do not have a full-time planning staff to handle the administrative duties, he said.

Some communities post their planning calendar at the beginning of each year so developers, business owners and others coming before the planning commission will be aware of the time frames for the various steps in the process, he said.

The five to six-week interval would give Logan time to receive the site plans and other required documents for review and submit them back to the applicants if more information is required before the planning commission hears a request.

"Some of the backlash of this schedule is that this really puts the onus on the developer or the submitter because they are going to have to get their things submitted in a timely manner if they want to be heard at a meeting," Logan said. "I had rather the onus be on the developer and somebody who is submitting plans rather than be on the town."

Planning Commissioner Bobby Turner questioned whether those presenting a request for a one lot subdivision would fall under the same schedule.

Logan initially responded that the city would have to treat all applicants equally but later said he would check into whether the city could make a distinction between small subdivisions and other proposals.

After Turner continued questioning about the smaller subdivisions, Logan replied that the proposed calendar is what he thinks is necessary for good business.

"One lot subdivisions are fine but the problem I have had is to look down the barrel of a loaded gun twice this year with the concrete plant and a trucking company, and I need time to look at these things," he said. "If you had been in my position, you would want six weeks too."

Logan suggested the proposed calendar could be put in place for the upcoming year.

In other business, planning commission chairman Nick Duke announced a new procedure for those speaking at the citizens input portion of the meeting.

The speakers still get three minutes to talk but must go in order. Those living inside the city may speak first, those owning property in the town but living outside the city limits would go second and those who live outside of the city but own no property in the city limits would speak last, Duke said.

"We really don’t have to have anybody speak who doesn’t have property or residence in the city, but we will continue to do that," Mayor Nolan Barham said.

Also, Cheatham Springs Road resident Cheryl Mathisen complained again about the vehicles and other items being stored around the building at 194 Clark St.

"I am still concerned about that junkyard at the King property," she said. "I know that was not grandfathered in, and it is just growing."

Dallas Beard, who lives across Cheatham Springs Road from the site, asked if anything is being done to encourage the property owner to clean up the site or put up a privacy fence.

Barham said a letter has been sent to the owner of the property, who has 10 days to respond. He said he had one conversation with the owner and will be having more talks with him.

The deed for the property located at 194 Clark St. lists Charles W. King as the owner.