Let me start with this: I can be persuaded. I want to be reasonable. I want to find a path forward that honors the rights of property owners and respects the expectations of citizens like myself.
But as the mixed-use project—proposed by Mr. Crawley for the property on Hwy 49—currently stands…I am a firm, hard NO. And I feel an obligation to make that position clearly known to my aldermen, neighbors, and anyone else who will listen.
Why? Because this fight isn’t new. We’ve been here before. With this property, this developer, and this very plan.
A few years ago, many of us—neighbors and concerned citizens—banded together to oppose high-density/ mixed-use development on this very property. And we succeeded. At the time, the consensus was clear: the people of Coopertown didn’t want commercial sprawl in this area.
We voiced our concerns. We showed up to the meetings. We made our voices heard. And we were successful. The process worked the way it is supposed to….Democracy in action!
Then came the Illustration 13 redrawing / review process. Once again, we spoke—clearly and consistently—against the inclusion of mixed-use zoning in this area. I know because I attended every single meeting and was one who spoke out against it. And yet, despite overwhelming public opposition, the planning commission slated the property for mixed-use anyway.
To say that I’m frustrated with this whole process would be putting it lightly. To say that I’m livid might be more accurate. Because here we are again—only now the property has that mixed-use designation on illustration 13, and suddenly we’re expected to accept that “it is what it is” without question. To make matters worse, I find myself once again in the uncomfortable position of having to speak out—not just against a development I strongly oppose, but against fellow citizens who may support it, town leaders I respect and know personally, and a property owner who, in my experience, has always been a decent guy and solid business owner. I don’t take any joy in any of it. I don’t like conflict with my neighbors. But given how this has unfolded, I feel I have no choice—because protecting the quality of life we moved here for, and the value of our homes, demands it.
Frankly, the current plan—vague, underdeveloped, and non-compliant—feels like a slap in the face. And coming on the heels of other poorly considered approvals in the past, I find myself asking what many others are quietly thinking: What exactly is going on here?
Still, I don’t believe in being unreasonable. I don’t begrudge Mr. Crawley the right to use and develop his property. I don’t expect Coopertown to remain frozen in time. Growth is coming. It always does. But growth can be done with the community, not to it. We can control it to the best of our ability. And there is still a path to yes—if all parties are truly interested in compromise.
What Could “Yes” Look Like?
A “yes” vote shouldn’t mean surrendering everything that makes Coopertown special. It shouldn’t mean throwing Oak Pointe under the bus so a developer can squeeze every last dime from his property. A real compromise would include:
- Traffic Improvements: Hwy 49 must be widened at the development’s entrance. A dedicated left-turn lane and right-turn lane are essential to manage flow and protect existing traffic.
- Buffering and Scale: The project should include single-family homes along the Oak Pointe border, with similar lot sizes, square footage, construction and style, to ensure a smooth, respectful transition and buffer.
- Public Green Space: I’d like to see a small but real public park— 2 to 4 acres, with a covered area—usable by both development residents and the broader community. That’s a win for everyone.
- Thoughtful Mixed-Use Design: I could support a Pleasant View Village-style anchor building—small restaurants or shops on the ground floor, offices and condos above. It keeps scale and aesthetics in mind while offering meaningful amenities.
- Limited Density: Keep total residential units (homes and condos combined) to no more than 75.
- No Cut-Through to Oak Pointe: If Chris Court must connect to the new development, it must be via walking/bike path only, not a road. Use bollards to enforce that. Our streets are not designed for additional traffic.
This plan wouldn’t please everyone. The developer may not love it from a profit maximization standpoint. I honestly still don’t love it-I’d prefer the property stay as is. Traffic and other problems will increase—guaranteed. But this would strike a balance-a compromise. Coopertown gains a tangible, usable asset in the park along with increased sales and property tax revenue. The developer earns a fair return on investment. And Oak Pointe preserves some of the peace, charm, and calm we chose when we moved here.
What we cannot accept is a one-sided plan that benefits only the developer, while placing all the burdens on the community. That’s not compromise—that’s exploitation.
What We Know We Don’t Want
While I believe there’s a potential path to yes, it’s equally important to be crystal clear about what this community (Oak Pointe and Coopertown generally) does not want—because we’ve all seen what unchecked development can do to a town (just throw a dart at a map and pick one to analyze).
We don’t want super-dense housing packed tightly onto small lots, changing the character of our rural neighborhoods. Coopertown was never meant to be a sprawling subdivision city, and we didn’t move here to live next to rows of identical rooftops. Derby Meadows ought to be the last development of its kind in Coopertown. Ever.
We don’t want a strip mall anchored by a grocery store, no matter how fond we may be of Publix or others. That level of commercial intensity belongs at the interstate or Highway 431—not dropped into the heart of a residential and travel corridor like Hwy 49, where infrastructure simply isn’t ready for it.
We don’t want poor traffic planning or massive influxes of vehicles that overwhelm local roads and intersections. Adding hundreds more cars and traffic in general without smart traffic solutions would be irresponsible.
And most of all, we do not want to see Oak Pointe (or any other neighborhood) turned into a shortcut. Connecting Chris Court to this development by road would be a disaster. Our streets are residential, narrow, and not designed to handle cut-through traffic. We’re not interested in becoming a pass-through for a development we didn’t ask for and don’t particularly want.
These are not abstract concerns—they’re lived realities for those of us who call Coopertown home. That’s why any viable plan must be grounded in respect for existing residents, not just driven by economic return.
A Note to Developers Considering Coopertown:
For far too long, developers have rolled into small towns like ours, promised the world, and then cashed out—often leaving behind subpar work, overburdened infrastructure, and a trail of unintended consequences. Coopertown won’t be the next cautionary tale. Just as you invest in land and buildings, our town and citizens invest in your vision—with our tax dollars, emergency services, roads, and other real resources. That relationship deserves mutual respect. If you want to build here, show us you’re not just in it for the payday. Bring something meaningful to the table—a public park, a police station, a new fire station, or some other contribution that proves you’re invested in the long-term health and success of this community. We’re not anti-growth—we’re anti-exploitation.
To My Neighbors Across Coopertown:
I understand why this project might sound like a great idea to some of you—it’s not in your backyard. You won’t deal with the traffic, the noise, or the daily disruption, but you’ll still get the perceived benefits. Or maybe you just want a Starbucks closer to home. I get that. But I ask you to consider this: if the tables were turned—if a project like this were being dropped next to your home—I would stand with you. I would listen. I would show up. Because that’s what neighbors do. All I ask is for the same respect and solidarity. Today, it’s Oak Pointe. Tomorrow, it could be your neighborhood. Let’s set the standard now: development must work with our community, not steamroll it.
To My Elected Leaders:
I’m tired of hearing that we can’t do something about this. Or how we cant be more specific or creative in how we manage growth and require accountability from developers. We are not powerless. Communities across Tennessee and the country have drawn a line and said, “enough is enough,” taking control of their growth and development in ways that protect residents, preserve character, and still allow for progress. We have the benefit of learning from their mistakes, and structuring our growth from the start. We can do the same as these other communities—if there is the political will to prioritize Coopertown over convenience. Our policies and priorities should always serve the people who live here—not those looking to exploit us and profit off of it.
Final Thoughts
Coopertown is growing. We know that. But let’s grow with intention. Let’s grow with transparency. Let’s make decisions with community input and not after-the-fact justification.
Mr. Crawley, I’m asking you to come back to the table—with a real plan. Show us you want to be part of our community, as I know you are, and not just a landowner cashing out. Respectfully, what you’ve presented so far just doesn’t pass muster. But there’s still time to get it right. I encourage you to reach out and work collaboratively with the many residents who are willing to meet in the middle and help shape a plan that actually works—for you and for us. Hold a town hall or something. There are people in this town, myself included, who don’t expect to get everything we want, but who are more than willing to engage in good faith discussions to find a solution we can stand behind. Get us involved, make us excited about the project! No one is expecting perfection, and we understand you can’t please everyone—but this is about compromise, and compromise means listening, adjusting, and working together to build something that adds value without eroding the character of our beloved country town. Let’s prove that development in Coopertown can still mean doing the right thing.
And just to be clear about this: if there is no effort to compromise, and this development moves forward as currently proposed, I will be forced to stand loudly and firmly against it—at every meeting, on every platform, and to every person willing to listen. And when it is defeated, as I believe it will be in its current form, I will do everything in my power to push for a revision of Illustration 13, removing the mixed-use designation on this property entirely so we don’t have to fight this same battle again in a few months or years. Prudence and principle demands it.
So yes—we can get to yes.
But only if we’re invited to be part of the process.
Got an opinion? Drop us your editorial at coopertowntimes@gmail.com
