1 Million Square Foot Warehouse Approved in Mt. Juliet
Wednesday, August 26th 2015
MT. JULIET, TN – The Mt. Juliet City Commission has given its approval to a 1 million square foot industrial building proposed on a residential lot that includes multiple design modifications to reduce the impact of the project opposed by many in the neighborhood.
Beckwith North was passed 4-1 on second reading Monday after the planning commission approved a land use amendment 6-2 last week that allowed the project to move forward again after being in limbo. Beckwith North is proposed for construction on a 55-acre tract at the end of Hunting Hills Drive.
“As a group we’re not surprised,” resident Jerry McKenzie said. “What we have accomplished so far is we did make some design changes to better screen the property. If the original plan had shown that consideration, the whole process would have gone quicker. There was minimal protection in the original plan.”
Modifications include a 25-foot berm topped with 15-foot cypress trees to screen the property and downward directed lighting.
“That’s how the process works,” Mt. Juliet Mayor Ed Hagerty said. “They may not say it, articulate it or even believe it, but (the changes) were really positive. They are assured there will never be a through street, there won’t be a 300-home subdivision and they are shielded from traffic lighting and noise.
“Ultimately it’s a good project; it will bring new jobs … and a new investment in the community.”
There is no specific tenant yet for Beckwith North, which is being developed by Panattoni Development Co.
Present plans “for now,” are to wait for a user commitment to start construction, Panattoni representative Hayne Hamilton said.
“We will continue to communicate and work with the neighborhood group as well,” Hamilton said.
The neighborhood will evaluate potential steps with its attorney Jim White, resident David Plott said.
Beckwith North was first submitted to the planning commission in March with multiple deferrals as Panattoni and neighborhood representatives held meetings on the project.
“The outcome is disappointing, but we’ve shown you don’t have to roll over and play dead when the city wants to do something,” Plott said. “Maybe things will start to change for the better.”