An informal citizen organized petition opposing the proposed rezoning of 48.5 acres on Highway 49 from Agricultural (AG) to Mixed Use Residential/Commercial (MURC) has gathered 240 signatures, with 170 verified Coopertown residents joining their names to the cause opposing this rezoning and subsequent development.
The petition, addressed to Mayor Smith and the Board of Aldermen, argues that the mixed-use designation would open the door to high-density housing and commercial development “inconsistent with the quiet, rural lifestyle that defines our town.” Signers cited concerns over traffic congestion, long-term taxpayer costs, and the risk of “commercial creep” along the Highway 49 corridor.
Key Numbers
- Total signatures: 240
- Verified Coopertown residents: 170
- Oak Pointe neighborhood: 37 addresses—more than 20 percent of the entire subdivision—including nearly every home bordering the proposed development.
For context, a petition from earlier this year regarding the desire for Coopertown to have their own ZIP code gathered 411 signatures. Organizers say the strength of local participation tells the real story.
Broad Geographic Support
Opposition is not limited to the immediate neighborhood. Verified signatures came from every part of town—north, south, east, and west—defying expectations that only nearby residents would be concerned. “We thought folks farther away might stay neutral,” one organizer said. “The data shows we were wrong.”
Strong Pushback Nearest the Site
Residents directly adjacent to the site have spoken with remarkable unity, signaling deep concern about traffic, infrastructure strain, and the loss of the quiet rural character that drew them there in the first place. Their turnout underscores that those who would feel the immediate impact are overwhelmingly against the rezoning. Notably, many of these same neighbors joined forces just a couple of years ago to block a nearly identical proposal from this very developer on this very parcel—showing a consistent, long-standing commitment to protecting their community from high-density, mixed-use projects.
Regional Voices
While out-of-town signers were not included in the 170 verified residents, the petition also attracted support from Pleasant View and other neighboring communities. Organizers view this as evidence of a wider unease with rapid growth across Middle Tennessee.
What the Numbers Say
The petition results paint a clear picture of how Coopertown residents view the Highway 49 rezoning: strong, town-wide opposition. The data shows resistance that cuts across neighborhoods and distance from the site.
Residents far from the Oak Pointe subdivision, where over 20 percent of the neighborhood signed, have added their names. That breadth signals that concerns go beyond “not-in-my-back-yard” sentiment. From every corner of town, residents are effectively saying the same thing: this proposal does not fit Coopertown’s vision for growth, and the community wants to keep the Highway 49 corridor rural and low-density.
Coopertown Times Reader Poll
An informal online poll hosted by the Coopertown Times echoes the petition’s findings. Of 46 total respondents, 43 said they oppose the Highway 49 rezoning while only 3 expressed support. While not an official vote, the overwhelming margin—more than nine out of ten readers—reinforces the strong community sentiment against converting the 48.5-acre parcel from Agricultural to Mixed Use Residential/Commercial.
Message to Town Leaders
The petition concludes with a respectful request that the Mayor and Board deny the rezoning request and maintain the parcel’s Agricultural designation to “preserve the integrity, safety, and character of our town.”
While neither the petition nor the Coopertown Times poll is scientific, together they provide a compelling snapshot of local opinion. Both sets of numbers point in the same direction and reinforce a clear message: the vast majority of Coopertown residents do not want this development. The strong overlap between petition and poll responses underscores just how broadly the community stands against rezoning the Highway 49 parcel.
The Board of Mayor & Aldermen is expected to consider a first reading of the rezoning proposal at the September 23 BOMA meeting.
Tell Us What You Think
Get Involved
Residents who wish to comment may do so during the public hearing portion of that meeting, and they are encouraged to reach out to their elected aldermen to make their position for or against known.
Location: PVVFD Fire Station 5 – Coopertown
Time: 6:00 PM
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Official Agenda: CoopertownTN.org
To receive updates, follow the Coopertown Times and local community Facebook pages for real-time developments.
Residents can send feedback on this matter via email to the Mayor and BOMA members directly and should monitor official announcements for upcoming meeting dates and agendas.
Mayor@coopertowntn.org
ward2alderman@coopertowntn.org
aldermanward2_1@coopertowntn.org
ward1alderman@coopertowntn.org
robertdaleanderson@yahoo.com
Residents who oppose the rezoning can still sign and share the petition here:
https://forms.gle/NHummdLE8c6XbQuA7
Read more here: https://coopertowntimes.com/planning-commission-greenlights-controversial-rezoning-despite-missing-details-and-public-opposition/
