SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sumner County Commission is pausing, for now, the development of a roundabout.
The proposed five-way roundabout on Drakes Creek in Hendersonville has been in the works by city officials for several years. However, some residents said the project won’t fix any traffic concerns and will directly infringe on their properties.
“I never realized how hard a government could push to take your land,” said Phil Olea, one of the residents fighting the roundabout’s development. “I can’t come to your property and put a shovel in it and claim it as mine. How the heck are they doing it to us?”
‘We were in limbo’: Hendersonville bookstore reopens months after tornado outbreak Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary told News 2 the city wants to avoid eminent domain— where the government seizes private property for public use— which, according to him, has never been done by Hendersonville in its history.
Three of the five property owners impacted by the roundabout proposal have already signed off on its development, according to the mayor. The holdup is just two families: the Oleas and the Kimbroughs, who live along Anderson Road. Neither are willing to give up portions of their land for the project.
“It’s completely improper,” said Kara Kimbrough, who spoke with News 2’s Sam Chimenti over the phone. “They’re trying to railroad people.”
Kimbrough, like the Oleas, is upset at what she feels was a lack of transparency from Hendersonville officials. She said a traffic study was never conducted in their area and that the roundabout’s construction would devalue her home.
“It’s a hot mess,” added Kimbrough.
Hendersonville police ask residents to register security cameras in efforts to curb crime “I did, and we did, offer suggestions. An oblong, smaller [roundabout]. We got told no at every angle,” Olea explained. “Yeah, put your roundabout there, but put it there smaller, and we’ll give you a couple feet [of our land]. Not a quarter of an acre.”
The clock is ticking on this roundabout. Hendersonville could lose the $2 million in federal funds for the project if a resolution isn’t made with the families soon. According to Mayor Clary, as part of the grant, the city is supposed to have the roundabout completed by September of 2026.
Outside of the two families, Mayor Clary said the roundabout has plenty of support.
“In just a couple days, we’ve had 216 people sign a petition. They’re very eager for this to happen, because they see what’s going on right now with traffic and they know it’s just going to get worse,” said the mayor.
Described as a “goofy intersection” by the mayor, he says the project would improve traffic flow and make driving conditions safer for residents.
“We’ve been talking to the property owners and trying to talk to the property owners for a long long time. We’ve been to four meetings with the county and answered every one of their questions. We’re a little disappointed we haven’t moved forward with the county,” said Clary.
As of now, this project is at a standstill.
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“We would appreciate more help on projects that impact the county,” Mayor Clary said in reference to Sumner County’s Commission. “And we would like to have a better dialogue.”
What comes next is anybody’s guess. Sumner County Commissioner Tim Jones told News 2 the ball is now in Hendersonville’s court, and that they won’t greenlight the roundabout’s construction until the dispute is settled.
“We can’t do anything about it, it seems like. And the people who can help are trying, but the people who might not have the best motive, are not trying,” said Olea.
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