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Roadwork underway on Lakemont
Road work begins December 6 in the 800 block of Lakemont Drive, which is southeast of the intersection with Lakemont Court. During this time, road closures may take place for short periods of time and at least one lane of traffic will be closed throughout the duration of the work. You are advised to use an alternate route.
The project will take approximately one week to complete, but the schedule is dependent upon weather conditions. There is also a chance that the road may have to be closed at this location for the duration of the project if difficulties are encountered during construction. If you have any questions regarding these projects, do not hesitate to contact the City office at 371-8291.
Tyne roadwork begins Nov. 23
Road work will take place on Tyne Boulevard, along the edge of the property near First Presbyterian Church during the week of November 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lane closures may also occur during this time; you are advised to use an alternate route.
If you have any questions regarding these projects, contact the City office at 371-8291.
Sign up for City alerts, weather warnings
Click logo to sign up
The City of Oak Hill is launching the CodeRED notification system for the benefit of its residents.
The system serves two purposes. The first is to deliver a pre-recorded message by a City official or staff member via telephone to everyone listed in our public database. If you are not included in the initial database, you will have the opportunity to voluntarily sign up for the service.
The second part of the system is an automated weather warning notification service. If the National Weather Service issues a warning for Oak Hill, the system will automatically begin calling the subscribers to give them the details. The system is more reliable than weather warning sirens because it only gives notification when Oak Hill is threatened. Because this system begins calling at any time of the day or night, residents must voluntarily sign up for the service.
Because the service is funded by Oak Hill tax dollars, only those individuals who reside at an address in Oak Hill will be allowed to utilize the service. Each entry must be verified, and any entry with an address outside of Oak Hill will be cancelled.
Chipper service has new zones
The City has revised the schedule and routes of its free monthly pickup of typical yard wastes such as tree limbs, shrubbery pruning, and bagged leaves or trimmings done by Oak Hill residents only. Oak Hill is now divided into four zones with collection during a six-day timespan of each month. MORE
Live audio of meetings delayed
Because of office renovations, live audio of meetings of the boards of Commissioners and Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission will begin in November here.
You can listen to delayed audio of the meetings until then; recordings will be available three days after each meeting. Visitors to the page also will be able to listen to meetings archived for one year.
Three named to Planning board
Michael Baron was appointed by Mayor Tommy Alsup in June to serve the two years remaining on Mike Allison's ninth term when he retired in June after 25 years of service on the Planning Commission.
Mayor Austin McMullen appointed John Gillespie to fill the two remaining years of an unexpired term ending in 2012 and Wade Hill to a three-year term expiring in 2013.
"The professional experience and expertise of these new members will be extremely beneficial as plans submitted to the Planning Commission are becoming more and more complex," said Mayor Austin McMullen. "We are indebted that they have generously agreed to provide their insight to the planning process, which is key to preserving the character of Oak Hill."
Baron, an engineer, is CEO of Baron + Dowdle Construction. A resident of Oak Hill for 26 years, he is involved with Boy Scouts of America and participates in mission projects.
Gillespie, president of Gillespie Builders, has a degree in engineering. A native Nashvillian who has lived in Oak Hill 23 years, he has been active in the Nashville area Habitat for Humanity for several years and currently is chair of its Advisory Board.
Hill, a licensed architect, is plans examination chief of Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety. A resident of Oak Hill for 18 years, he has extensive experience in building codes and zoning
Joe Hodgson was appointed to a three-year term after filling an unexpired vacancy since November 2009.
Mayor McMullen and Vice Mayor Jennifer Claxton were named to fulfill the requirement of the Oak Hill Charter for two Commissioners to serve on the Planning Commission. Their terms will expire in 2012. Remaining on the Planning Commission and the dates their terms expire are:
Chair Art McWilliams (8/31/11); Judy Hoover (8/31/11); Annelle Rucker (8/31/12); and Julia Wesley (8/31/11).
Planning Commission rescheduled
Planning Commission meetings have been permanently rescheduled. They begin at 5 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
City working to improve police protection
Oak Hill is working with Metro to improve police protection for City residents.
Officials have consulted with Toby Compton in the Mayor's office, Council Representative Carter Todd, and Metro Police's West Precinct on improving communication.
"The City now has a single point of contact within the Police Department," said City Manager Kevin Helms. "This will enable us to better share information on police presence and criminal activities in the City," he said.
In addition, Oak Hill has increased the level of extra police patrols because of the recent wave of burglaries thoughout the West Precinct, including Oak Hill.
Residents can help by reporting any criminal activity, no matter how minor. Police presence in Oak Hill is affected by the amount of crime reported in the area.
City offices reopen in Suite 102
The newly expanded City offices have reopened at Suite 102 after relocating for renovations.
The facilities have nearly doubled in size, providing offices for each staff member, expanded room for storage, and handicap-accessible restrooms. In addition, a larger meeting room will accommodate more residents and features enhanced audiovisual capabilities.
Beginning November 15, all meetings of the Board of Commissioners, Zoning Appeals, and Planning Commission will be held in the expanded meeting area, which also will be available for neighborhood groups to meet.
New leaf, brush policies start Nov. 1
New policies for leaf and brush collection go into effect on Monday, November 1, when the new collection schedule also goes into effect.
If you prefer to bag yard waste rather than rake it into piles, please be aware that you must use either paper bags or degradable plastic bags that are clearly marked as degradable. Even if you buy bags that say on the box they are degradable, you cannot use them for Oak Hill's leaf and brush pickup unless the bag itself is marked as degradable.
Bags or loose leaves and brush must be placed beside the road, not in ditches or in the road. The total weight of bags cannot exceed 50 pounds. MORE INFO
Retreat helps officials set, prioritize goals
Commissioners Jennifer Claxton, Austin McMullen and Kyle Felts work with Ron Darden of MTAS on objectives.
"To grasp and hold a vision, that is the very essence of successful leadership," Ronald Reagan once said, "not only on the movie set where I learned it, but everywhere."
Articulating and implementing a vision is critical to the success of any organization, and the City of Oak Hill is no different.
With two new Commissioners elected in June, now is an appropriate time to adopt a common vision for our community and to identify specific steps for putting that vision into action. The Board of Commissioners and City Manager began this process at a strategic planning retreat August 20–21 in Shelbyville, led by representatives of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service, a component of the University of Tennessee's Institute for Public Service.
The first step in the process was to identify Oak Hill's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Following this analysis, we developed and prioritized a list of goals and objectives for the City. Prioritizing the goals was one of the more difficult tasks of the two-day retreat because there are so many good ideas and projects available to us.
Cognizant of the limitations of time and resources, we then developed a preliminary plan for implementing the goals to pursue first. In the coming months, we anticipate discussing and finalizing the plans as part of our regular Board of Commissioners meetings and then taking steps to accomplish the many worthwhile goals for Oak Hill.
Developing a vision statement was the final step. We are working on a statement that embraces many of the attributes that make us proud to live in Oak Hill and that we want to preserve for the future. My fellow Commissioners and I look forward to finalizing this vision statement during our upcoming monthly meetings, and we would appreciate your input.
FEMA, City funding infrastructure repairs
Jackaroo workers repair a flood-damaged culvert on Sewanee Road.
Oak Hill has currently been approved by FEMA for the repair of several City infrastructure sites that received damage during the May floods, as well as the clean up of flood debris.
The value of projects currently approved stands between $250,000 and $270,000. The City is currently negotiating with FEMA on several other projects that could add up to an additional $30,000. FEMA will provide the City with 90%, rather than the traditional 75%, of the total. The state will supply an additional 5%, and the City will be responsible for the remaining 5%. Because of circumstances at these locations, the City chose to do extra work beyond that eligible for FEMA funding. The City will pay around $100,000.
The City has also undertaken a separate ditch cleaning/restoration project and will receive virtually no funding from other sources. This work is being done not just to correct issues created by the May floods, but to correct issues that have developed slowly over years. The crew started in the Hillview area and at the time of this writing has made its way around Lakemont and is currently working on Forest Acres Drive and its connecting streets.
The work consists of cleaning ditches and culverts located in the City rights-of-way. While the City is responsible for replacing infrastructure under the roadway, the driveway culverts are the responsibility of the resident. However, we will make an attempt to clean these out. The City provides a program where it will supply the labor and equipment at no cost to the resident should they choose to replace a driveway culvert. However, the resident must pay for all materials needed for the work.
Please remember that any time you replace or install a driveway culvert, you must have the work approved by the City to ensure that the proper size culvert is being installed.
The work was slow at first, but has sped up with the addition of a water meter that allows us to connect to fire hydrants and use high pressure to clean culverts. Since the addition of this equipment, we have been able to greatly speed up the process. We have noted well over 300 locations within the City that needs this type of service.
FEMA buyout possible
Oak Hill is working with FEMA representatives to determine if a flood mitigation project is a viable option for certain locations.
The City would purchase flood-prone properties with FEMA's financial assistance. Any structures would be demolished, and the property would be permanently dedicated as open space.
To date, the City of Oak Hill received only one inquiry into the flood mitigation buyout program, and it was not presented in writing. If anyone has suffered repetitive losses and/or damages that exceed 51% of the appraised value of the property, they may be eligible for a FEMA buyout. If you are interested in the program, please contact our offices. Funding for this project is expected to be available later this year.
Oak Hill seeks gateway grant
In an effort to beautify and increase awareness of Oak Hill, the Board of Commissioners approved a grant application to be presented to the Tennessee Department of Transportation that would create the first of several planned gateways into the City of Oak Hill.
The approval calls for the City's engineer to write a grant application to be submitted to the state for the entry into the City on Franklin Pike near Caldwell. This site was chosen due to the opportunity we had to partner with the City of Berry Hill, which is submitting an application for the same location on the other side of the road.
A final design will not be developed until the project is approved, but will likely consist of landscaping and an entry sign.
Plans are to submit grants in future years for other locations on state routes within the City. These could include Franklin Pike/Harding Place and Franklin Pike/Old Hickory Boulevard. The idea is also to scale down the size of these designs and install them on other smaller entries into the City that are not located on state routes.
If the grant is approved, the state will provide 80% of the cost up to a total of $120,000. The smaller projects will be funded entirely by the City.
Ditch work on Tyne through Nov. 15
Ditch work along Tyne Boulevard between Franklin and Overton Lea will begin either October 29 or November 1. Road work is expected to follow at this same location. Both projects will last approximately two weeks. Residents are encouraged to avoid this area as much as possible during the construction.
November BZA rescheduled
The November Board of Zoning Appeals meeting has been moved to November 15.
November Planning meeting cancelled
There were no submittals to the Planning Commission by the deadline, so the November meeting is cancelled.
Radnor hosts archeologist meeting
The 12th annual South Central Historical Archeology Conference is at Radnor Lake November 12-14.
Friday evening will have an opening reception and guest speaker. Saturday features a look at the Radnor area before it became a natural area and a report on current research at the lake. Other topics cover civil war archaeology, Rutherford County cemeteries, and archeological reports from other Southeast states. Sunday has a Radnor hike and a report on the log houses of Middle Tennessee.
Art show, sale benefits Radnor Lake
Friends of Radnor Lake and the Chestnut Group invite you to the Love the Lake art show Nov. 5–7. The show is in the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Chestnut Group is a nonprofit alliance of landscape artists who are dedicated to the conservation of wild and open spaces in Middle Tennessee. Fifty percent of the funds earned from the sale of artwork will be donated to Friends of Radnor Lake.
Chestnut Group artists have been painting through all of the seasons of Radnor, capturing the snow covered hills, the redbuds in spring, the greens of summer and the amazing fall colors.
Construction starts Oct. 25 on Robertson Academy Road
Because of an asphalt shortage, construction work will now begin Monday, October 25, on Robertson Academy Road near Franklin Pike. The project was originally scheduled to begin October 20.
It is recommended that motorists take another route if possible as there will be lane closures. No work will take place during school zone hours.
Office, meeting locations move during renovations
The Board of Commissioners awarded the contract for City office renovations to WT Dubois construction from among eleven submitted.
Construction should be complete by late October, contingent upon a hearing that the City has requested to seek a variance from the Metro Codes Department.
During construction, the City has temporary location at 5554 Franklin Pike, Suite 200. If you cannot climb stairs, please call the office and we will meet you on the first floor.
Regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals will be held at Glendale United Methodist Church, 900 Glendale Lane.
City sets special Commissioners Meeting November 1
A special meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on November 1 at 4 p.m. at Glendale United Methodist Church. The agenda will include only one item: consideration of a contract amendment for road work on Tyne Boulevard. A work session of the Board of Commissioners will follow.
City to hold October 25 special meeting
The regular meeting of the City of Oak Hill Board of Commissioners on October 21 has been cancelled. A special meeting will be held on October 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Glendale United Methodist Church, 900 Glendale Lane. AGENDA
The regular meeting of the City of Oak Hill Planning Commission on October 26 has been moved from Glendale United Methodist Church to 4560 Trousdale Drive, Suite 100.
Beginning in November, all meetings are expected to be held at the City offices at 5548 Franklin Pike, Suite 102.
Yard Sale for the Cure is October 23
The ninth annual Oak Hill Yard Sale for the Cure will be held Saturday, October 23, at 5317 Franklin Pike beginning at 7 a.m.
Cindy Baxter Smith, a 13-year survivor of breast cancer and originator and organizer of the annual sale, called on Oak Hill residents to "line the streets of Oak Hill with yard sales" that day.
Clean out your closets and attics, put up balloons and signs, then have a great time meeting neighbors, delighting shoppers with treasures, and donating a portion to a breast cancer organization of your choice, she said.
If you cannot hold a yard sale, donate your treasures to Cindy for her sale on Franklin Pike.
Any amount of your yard sale proceeds donated to the breast cancer organization of your choice will be greatly appreciated. If you mail your check to an organization, please e-mail Cindy the amount so it can be counted in the total raised by the annual yard sale. You can also send your check directly to Cindy, who will include it with checks received as donations or from other yard sales. Over the past eight years thousands of dollars raised from this event have been donated to cancer support organizations.
If you have questions or plan to hold a garage sale on October 23, contact Cindy Smith at 615.376.0577 or cindybaxtersmith@comcast.net.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so mark your calendar to go yard sale shopping during the month, and especially on October 23 in Oak Hill.
Harvest festival set for October 17 at historic Glen Leven
Please join the Land Trust for Tennessee and Oak Hill community volunteers for a fall harvest festival October 17 at the Glen Leven Farm, 4000 Franklin Pike.
The celebration is 3-6 p.m. and includes live music, tours of the mansion and property, children's activities and more. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about this Nashville treasure and become involved in its preservation.
The City of Oak Hill is providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $25,000 for any gifts and plefges made at the event designated for the Glen Leven Fund.
For more information visit LandTrustTN.org or call 244-6948.
Download invitation
Get City messages, weather warnings by telephone
The City of Oak Hill is close to launching the CodeRED notification system for the benefit of its residents.
The system serves two purposes. The first is to deliver a pre-recorded message by a City official or staff member to be delivered via telephone to everyone listed in our public database. If you are not included in the initial database, you will have the opportunity to voluntarily sign up for the service.
The second part of the system is an automated weather warning notification service. If the National Weather Service issues a warning for Oak Hill, the system will automatically begin calling the subscribers to give them the details. The system is more reliable than weather warning sirens because it only gives notification when Oak Hill is threatened as compared to the sirens that sound whenever any portion of Davidson County is in danger. Because this system begins calling at any time of the day or night, residents must voluntarily sign up for the service.
Within the next 30 days when the system is ready for implementation, a link will be posted on the City's website for residents to sign up. You can choose to add optional text messages to the telephone calls. A landline or cell number may be entered as your contact information. If you do not have access to the internet, call the office to enter the information for you.
Because the service is funded by Oak Hill tax dollars, only those individuals who reside at an address in Oak Hill will be allowed to utilize the service. Each entry must be verified, and any entry with an address outside of Oak Hill will be cancelled.
Lakeview Drive construction begins Sept. 27
Construction will begin on Lakeview Drive between Villa Crest and Norfleet on Monday, September 27. During this time, one lane of the road will be closed. The construction is expected to take three to five days to complete. This information could change if inclement weather conditions occur.
No Planning Commission meeting in September
No Planning Commission meeting will be held in September because no items were submitted for the agenda. The next scheduled meeting is October 26.
Support Land Trust Oct. 9
Once in a Blue Moon 10, the signature fundraising event for Land Trust for Tennessee, will be held at The Farm at Glen Leven, 4000 Franklin Pike, October 9.
Wear your tight jeans and loose boots for the music, food, and dancing beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Chestnut Group will have an art show and sale of plein air paintings. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Land Trust.
Come support the organization that works to protect and save land like that at Glen Leven.
For reservations for the tenth annual event, go to landtrusttn.org or call 615/244-LAND.
Greek Festival opens Sept. 10
Mark your calendar to attend the 23rd annual Nashville Greek Festival September 10–12 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4905 Franklin Pike.
Festivities include entertainment, baked goods, shopping, dancing, good food, fun for children of all ages, and tours of the church.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is $2 per person, children under 12, free.
City leaf collection policy clarified
Late last year the City began sending several communications to inform citizens of the new leaf collection policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners that requires leaves to be raked to the street's edge or bagged in biodegradable bags.
The purpose for this policy change is primarily to create a process that is significantly more environmentally friendly than transporting our leaves to landfills. In the long run, the ability to avoid landfill fees will also save the City and its citizens money.
As mentioned in those communications, the City instituted a transition period of several months for citizens to adapt to the new policy. We then ended up extending the transition period for an additional two months following the May floods. This month we began leaving notices on bags of uncollected leaves for property owners who have not adhered to the policy.
Biodegradable bags
We have received several calls regarding this issue, which indicates that there is some misunderstanding in how to bag leaves. Biodegradable bags are manufactured in both paper and plastic. Either is fine to use as long as they indicate they are biodegradable. Some residents had thought that only paper bags were allowed; this creates problems because they are more susceptible to moisture.
While paper bags are much easier to find in stores, the City has been able to verify that both CVS Pharmacy and Target stock plastic biodegradable bags. They are also available online from a number of retailers.
The City has also ordered 50 boxes of plastic biodegradable bags to give as samples. They will be available in our office on August 17 and one box will be given to the first 50 residents who come by the office to pick one up. These bags were obtained from CVS Pharmacy's online website and are the same as the ones that they stock in stores.
Keep away from drainage channels
Please remember that regardless of which option you choose — raking leaves to the road or using biodegradable bags — the materials should not be left in natural drainage channels to impede the flow of water. How to rake leaves properly
If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact our office at 371-8291.
Meetings moved to Glendale Methodist
City meetings have been moved while the offices are being renovated.
Until further notice, Zoning Appeals, Commissioners, and Planning Commission meetings will be held at Glendale United Methodist Church, 900 Glendale Lane.
The City of Oak Hill office is relocating during renovations to 5554 Franklin Pike Suite 200, above the Brentwood Eye Clinic in the same office complex.
The space is not handicapped-accessible, so please call the office at 371-8291 if you need accommodation, and a staff person will come down to assist you.
August BZA, Planning meetings cancelled
The August Board of Zoning Appeals meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting is September 14. The August Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting is September 28.
Planning Commission moves to 5 p.m.
The Planning Commission voted to move its starting time to 5 p.m. There were no submittals for the August meeting, so the new time will apply to the next meeting in whatever month that the City receives a submittal to review.
Citizens discuss stormwater, drainage at public meeting June 28
Residents discussed Oak Hill drainage issues at a public meeting June 28.
The City's engineering contractor will compile data into a report on drainage basins and infrastructure inventory within the City that will be used to identify and prioritize areas with drainage problems.
If you could not attend the meeting, you can record your comments about drainage issues here.
Commissioners name McMullen Mayor;
Jennifer Claxton selected Vice Mayor
Commissioner Kyle Felts, Vice Mayor Jennifer Claxton, and Mayor Austin McMullen
The Oak Hill Board of Commissioners selected Austin McMullen as Mayor at its June meeting. Commissioner Jennifer Claxton was named Vice Mayor.
"I want to thank each of the 1,262 voters who participated in the election. The turnout was remarkable and is evidence of our citizens' continued widespread interest in their City government," McMullen said. "Together we can continue to work for positive, common sense solutions that give the people of Oak Hill a municipal government they can be proud of."
Claxton and Felts were elected Oak Hill Commissioners June 8.
Claxton received 715 votes; Felts got 603. A total of 1,262 residents voted. Others receiving votes were James C. Bradshaw, 404 votes; William Canak, 403; Mike Campbell, 156; Louis Rieke, 90; and Wade Hill, 89.
Claxton, a licensed Realtor with Pilkerton Realtors, graduated from University of Tennessee with a degree in accounting. She lives on Elysian Fields Road with husband Jim and son Reeves.
"This election had the largest voter turnout in recent City history, if not ever, and I could not be more proud of the way our community has come together. I am humbled by the results, truly honored for the opportunity to serve and would like to thank everyone who participated," Claxton said.
Commissioners recognized for service
Commissioners Ray Throckmorton and Tommy Alsup were presented gifts for their eight years of service by Vice Mayor Austin McMullen at the May meeting. Strong supporters of Radnor Lake, both received a framed, signed photograph by Robin Conover. They also were given gavels as mementos of their terms as mayor, Throckmorton from 2002 to 2006 and Alsup from 2006 to 2010.
Felts is owner of Felts and Jackson Real Estate and Parthenon Plumbing, both in Green Hills. He's a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a degree in business management. He lives on Blevins Drive with his wife Lindsey.
"I am very humbled and honored to serve our great City. I'm excited for our community and the positive work that we can accomplish together," Felts said.
The pair will serve four-year terms now held by Mayor Tommy Alsup and Ray Throckmorton, who were reelected in 2006. Commissioners will elect a new Mayor and Vice Mayor at the June meeting.
Mike Allison honored for 25 years of service
Mayor Tommy Alsup presents a resolution of appreciation and a gavel to Mike Allison.
Planning Commission member and former chair Michael Allison was honored for 25 years of service at the May Commissioners meeting.
Allison, who served on the Planning Commission from 1985 to 2010, received a resolution of appreciation and a commemorative gavel.
"Mr. Allison served the City of Oak Hill with fairness, professionalism, and dedication toward maintaining the residential integrity and quality of the City, maintaining an environment conducive to a high quality of life for its residents, and preserving property values," the resolution said.
"As a result of his time and commitment to excellence of service as a Commission member, Oak Hill today is an outstanding place to live and property values have been protected and advanced."
2011 budget approved
The Board of Commissioners approved the FY2011 budget at the May meeting. MORE
Construction limited to certain hours
As the summer construction season gets into full swing, the City reminds you that building construction, demolition, alteration, or repair are limited to certain hours. These activities may occur on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. These activities are prohibited on Sundays and official holidays observed by the City of Oak Hill. Please help us bring this to the attention of your contractors.
Live audio of meetings begins in July
Live audio of meetings of the boards of Commissioners and Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission will begin in July here.
City Manager Kevin Helms said delayed audio of the June 17 Board of Commissioners and the June 22 Planning Commission will be posted on the website three days after the meetings.
Listeners will experience a delay of approximately two minutes when the meetings are streamed live beginning in July.
Visitors to the page also will be able to listen to meetings archived for one year and search those archives by keyword.
New ordinance governs display
of signs in City
The City of Oak Hill recently adopted a new ordinance to restrict the use of signs within Oak Hill. It applies to residential areas, as well as institutions that operate within the City.
The ordinance expands upon some regulations that were already in place and reiterates those already prohibited by state law. A copy of the new sign ordinance and applicable fees is here.
Many signs are automatically allowed in the ordinance without any action or approval needed from the City office. Most, if not all, of these are for temporary purposes. However, there may be some restrictions on the placement, size, and number of these signs. There is also a class of signs that are outright prohibited, including electronic signs. For safety reasons, signs are never permitted in the public right-of-way, on street sign poles, or on utility poles.
The final category of signs is those that are permitted by written permit/approval only. These signs fall into two classifications, temporary and permanent. Due to the significant amount of review that goes into permitting these signs, the City has established a sign permit review fee. It is structured in a way as to base the fee on the amount of review needed to grant approval of a specific sign. For instance, the fee for a temporary sign is much less than that of a permanent sign.
It is important to remember that all permanent signs currently in place are grandfathered in by law and will be allowed to remain. However, these signs cannot be expanded or renovated in excess of 25% of the structure without being required to meet the new standards. Temporary signs are not grandfathered in and must meet the new requirements.
If you are planning to install a sign, you are encouraged to contact the City office to ensure that your proposed sign meets the new requirements. We believe that doing this will save you time and money during the design process.
Ensure pet safety by keeping them leashed, supervised
Summertime means doing more things outside with the family, including the family pets. The City wants to make sure that its residents remember that all pets are to be leashed when walked and that pets are not allowed to run free.
If pets are let out to roam the streets and neighborhoods, unfortunate things can happen like people or pets being attacked, or pets accidentally hit in the road. Smaller pets running loose often fall prey to coyotes.
If you see a dog or cat running loose in your neighborhood, please call Metro Animal Control at 862-7928.
Dead animals
If you have a dead domestic or wild animal, do one of two things:
• If the dead animal is on Franklin Pike, Battery Lane, Harding Road, or Old Hickory Boulevard (state-controlled streets), please call State Public Works at 350-4400.
• If the dead animal is on any other Oak Hill street, please call Metro Dead Animal Pickup at 862-8971. If the animal is dead in your yard, you will have to sign a waiver for the Metro worker to come onto your personal property to get the animal or you need to find a way to get the dead animal to the street for Metro to easily pick up.
Please keep not only yourself and your neighbors safe this summer, but also keep your pets safe by keeping them leashed and supervised.
Safety Coordinator Tommy Jacobs retires
Safety Coordinator Tommy Jacobs has gone on "permanent vacation" to Florida and is no longer with the City of Oak Hill.
"I want to thank all the residents of Oak Hill for the opportunity to be your Commissioner and Vice Mayor. I am proud to have served since 2008 as the City's first Safety Coordinator. Your support, encouragement, and countless acts of kindness are deeply appreciated and won't be forgotten," Jacobs said.
The former police officer was praised by City officials. "Tommy was instrumental in maintaining a good relationship with Metro Police. His knowledge of the area and his understanding of how the department works allowed him to make valuable contributions to the safety of our City," said Mayor Tommy Alsup.
"Tommy Jacobs worked hard to keep Oak Hill a safe place to live and raise our families. He will be missed," said Vice Mayor Austin McMullen.
The City is preparing to search for his replacement. City Manager Kevin Helms will be acting as the intermediary for Oak Hill and the Metro Police until a new coordinator is hired.
In the interim, note the following changes to contact information: for non-emergency concerns during regular business hours, please call the City Office at 371-8291 to report anything suspicious, vandalism, break-ins, etc. During all other times, please call the West Precinct at 862-7747. If a crime is in progress, call 911. To report a crime that has already been committed, call 862-8600.
Volunteer to repair Radnor flood damage
The raging flood waters that did so much damage to Middle Tennessee in early May took a heavy toll at Radnor Lake Natural Area.
Many of the trails, creek banks, and especially Otter Creek Road sustained damage that will take months—perhaps up to a year—to repair. Park manager Steve Ward said the speed of recovery will be determined by the number of volunteer hours put into the project.
Among the most severe damage:
• Nearly a mile of pavement on Otter Creek Road must be replaced due to erosion, buckling, and four-foot-high chasms in some places.
• About 75 large trees were destroyed. That, along with flooding of ground nests, has displaced birds and other wildlife.
• Sediment in the lake has disturbed the plant life and habitat for fish, ducks, turtles and otters.
The road, trails, and buildings desperately need repair, and that's where volunteers can help. Every Saturday through June, volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to noon to dig out clogged culverts, then spread rocks, gravel, and mulch in affected areas. Meet at the Visitor Center to get assignments. For more information call 373-3467.
Hands On Nashville helps Glendale every year, but the school can use more help.
Glendale Elementary is Oak Hill's school
The Glendale School is in the planning period of some significant upgrades to its grounds, with the intent of beginning to execute the work this summer. We are the City of Oak Hill's school, too, and want your involvement!
Key components of the improved design include: additional off-street parking, new playground equipment, sidewalks, refurbished basketball hoops, and landscaping features including a brick seat wall, a patio with picnic tables, and several new planted areas. We also intend to have trees pruned, trash containers put in, and signage installed.
The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) of Glendale has already raised almost $20,000 towards this project—we invite our neighbors to participate in the project as well.
The beautification and improvement of the Glendale School benefits all of Oak Hill.
We cannot do it alone!
Please consider donating to Glendale's future. Make checks payable to: Glendale PTO, 800 Thompson Avenue, Nashville TN 37204.
For more information about the school or the project, visit here or email us with any questions.
The PTO at Glendale is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our funds are raised almost exclusively through donations by neighbors, corporate partners, and Glendale families. They go toward the benefit of the school as a whole: educational tools for curriculum enhancement, supplemental teacher training, student field trips and assemblies, school development projects, and art, music, technology, reading, math and physical education supplies.
Financial Advisory Committee meets August 13
The Financial Advisory Committee meets at noon August 13 at 1600 Division Street.
Blue Ford Explorer driving through Oak Hill is working for the City
A blue Ford Explorer with Florida plates is driving through Oak Hill collecting data for the City's drainage study. The occupants are employees of the City's engineering firm.
Place the debris between the roadway and the drainage area. If there is not sufficient room between the two, the debris should be placed adjacent to the drainage area on the side opposite the roadway.
New leaf policy now in effect
As we discussed late last year, the City of Oak Hill has now gotten everything in place to fully implement our new leaf and debris collection policy. This has been done in an effort to provide more environmentally friendly services to our residents. However, in this case, we also enjoy the added benefit of the services being more efficient.
As we have phased in the new policy, we have continued to collect leaves and debris under the terms of both the old and new policy. However, beginning in the month of May we will only collect leaves and debris that are placed near the road under the terms of our new policy.
It is important to remember that no debris should be placed within a ditch or other drainage area. Additionally, material should not be placed on the driving surface itself as it might become a hazard to vehicular traffic. If there is room to place the debris between the roadway and the drainage area, that is the preferred location. However if there is not sufficient room between the two, the debris should be placed adjacent to the drainage area on the side opposite the roadway.
You have two options to choose from in placing materials for collection. The first option is simply to rake your leaves and other debris in piles near the road as stated above. However, leaves should be kept in a separate pile from other material. The second option is to place some, or all, of these materials into biodegradable bags to be picked up. Materials placed in non-biodegradable bags will not be collected.
Also, please remember that this service is provided to citizens for material generated by the resident themselves. Hired contractors should haul off any material that they generate while working on your property. Materials should also be free of any nails, wire, or other man-made material.
These changes allow us to divert almost all of our collection material from the landfill to a composting farm. In addition to the rules listed above, you may choose to review information at the web links provided at right for best practices in placing materials for collection.
While we know that it may take some time to get used to this change, we feel that being good stewards of the environment should be a goal of our low-density, tree-filled City.
Tornado warning siren installed
The City of Oak Hill has completed installation of a tornado warning siren to help protect residents. The siren tower was installed by Stansell Electric Company near the intersection of Franklin Pike and Lambert Drive. The siren is tied in to the Metro Nashville Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, which transmits to towers throughout the county.
If you hear a siren, take shelter immediately.
Citizens offer input on bikeways, safe schools
Oak Hill residents met at Glendale School April 12 to discuss their preferences about bike lanes, bike paths, or bike trails along Franklin Pike, Battery Lane, or Tyne Blvd. You can download a Nashville-wide map of existing and planned bike and pedestrian options here. You can download a map of Oak Hill bike route options here. If you missed the meeting, you can click here to comment.
Safe Routes to School
Residents also were asked about acquiring a Safe Routes to School grant to fund sidewalks, handicapped ramps, crossing signals, or signage at Glendale School, The Oak Hill School, and other locations. You can download a map of schools in Oak Hill here as well as maps of Glendale School and Oak Hill School. You can add your comments here.
Residents comment at public meeting on zoning
The City of Oak Hill held a public hearing April 8 to take comments from citizens for staff and boards to consider while developing the new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.
If you were not able to attend, you can click here to make comments.
Oak Hill receives Partnership Award
Park Manager Steve Ward presents a commemorative photograph to Oak Hill Mayor Tommy Alsup, City Manager Kevin Helms, Vice Mayor Austin McMullen, and Commissioner Ray Throckmorton.
Oak Hill received the first Radnor Partnership Award from Friends of Radnor Lake April 10 in recognition of a substantial gift for land acquisition.
In announcing the creation of the new award, Friends President Charley Hankla noted the relationship that has existed between the City of Oak Hill and Friends of Radnor Lake for decades.
Park Manager Steve Ward said the acquisition of a 9.5-acre plot could not have happened without the City's $750,000 donation.
The property on the northwest corner of the natural area suddenly became available when developers went bankrupt and the bank wanted to sell, Ward explained to those gathered at an overlook of the lake.
"Since we had to act quickly, I made a presentation to the Board of Commissioners, who voted unanimously to donate the money to Friends to buy the land," Ward said.
Oak Hill Mayor Tommy Alsup said Oak Hill Commissioners have recognized the value of keeping these rolling hills and tranquil waters in their natural state, within the City's borders since 1973.
"In addition to acquiring this particular parcel of land once thought forever unavailable, the funds contributed by Oak Hill can also be used to apply for matching grants and funding for other properties and programs," Mayor Alsup said.
Ward pointed out that the late Oak Hill Mayor Warren Wilkinson received the second Environmental Award from Friends in 2002 for aiding numerous land acquisitions. Former Oak Hill Mayor and current Commissioner Ray Throckmorton received Friends of Radnor Lake's Blue Heron Leadership Award in 2006.
Friends of Radnor Lake and Land Trust for Tennessee are working on a conservation easement to protect the property.
FOUND
Older male chocolate lab in the Lakemont Court/Lakemont Drive area. Has a collar but no tags, and possibly hip dysplasia. If you know the owner please call the City office at 371-8291.
Shred documents for free
Oak Hill residents can shred confidential materials at no cost at Oak Hill Assembly of God, 5200 Franklin Pike, on May 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Residents can bring CDs and credit cards, plus all kinds of paper, folders, envelopes, etc., with staples and papers clips still attached but no binder clips. They can bring as much as they have, as long as it is their own residential materials, not documents from a business, for example.
"People won't have to worry about confidentiality," City Manager Kevin Helms said. "The items will be shredded while they watch."
City holds public hearing on budget May 20
A public hearing on the 2010–2011 City budget is at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at the City office. All citizens are welcomed to attend and to participate.
The City of Oak Hill, Tennessee, hereby provides certain financial information for the 2010–2011 fiscal year budget in accordance with provisions of Chapter 484, Public Acts of 1991, as amended. A more detailed version of the budget is available here or by contacting the City office.
| ACTUAL 2008-2009 |
ESTIMATED 2009-2010 |
PROPOSED 2010-2011 |
|
| GENERAL FUND | |||
| Estimated Revenue | |||
Local Taxes & Permits |
$ 125,165 | $ 100,750 | $ 145,500 |
State of Tennessee |
$ 1,219,956 | $ 1,052,925 | $ 1,022,100 |
Federal Government |
$ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Other Sources |
$ 345,926 | $ 343,000 | $ 312,500 |
Total |
$ 1,691,047 | $ 1,496,675 | $ 1,480,100 |
| Estimated Expenditures | |||
Salaries |
$ 188,663 | $ 248,500 | $ 253,000 |
Other Costs |
$ 1,119,810 | $ 1,819,114 | $ 1,579,875 |
Total |
$ 1,308,473 | $ 2,067,614 | $ 1,832,875 |
| Estimated Fund Balance | |||
Beginning |
$7,614,881 | $7,997,455 | $7,426,516 |
Ending |
$7,997,455 | $7,426,516 | $7,073,741 |
| Employee Positions | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Sign regulation hearing is May 20
The City of Oak Hill will hold a Public Hearing regarding a proposed update to the Ordinance concerning sign regulations in the City limits at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at the City office. If you have any questions, please call City Hall at 615/371-8291.
Write in 1907 on tax return
Make sure your Hall Income Tax form contains "City of Oak Hill" and 1907, the four-digit location code.
This is necessary for the City to receive its due portion of various local and state taxes including Hall Income Tax. These annual reimbursements fund the City's operating budget, which includes services for back-door garbage pickup, leaf and limb removal, supplemental police patrols, and street maintenance.
Oak Hill financial reserves above average
by Mayor Tommy Alsup
As we see news of the financial meltdown over the last year experienced nationwide, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide your family a view of Oak Hill's financial outlook.
As of June 30, 2009, the City had just over $7.9 million in reserve fund balance. Over the past five years these funds earned an average of $295,615 in interest from an average rate of 4.2% per year from various long-term investments.
As many of you know, municipalities, including Oak Hill, are limited in the type of investments they can utilize for investing fund balances. Since we are limited to the most conservative of investment tools, our rate of return is much lower than what a private company or individual might earn.
The reserves for the City have increased by $1.06 million since June 30, 2002. This equates to an increase of 2.15% per year for a total increase of 15% since that date. On average the City has been fortunate to be able to move more than $150,000 per year to the reserve fund balance at the end of each fiscal year. MORE
New lines at stop signs catch drivers' attention
Oak Hill is taking steps to catch the attention of drivers and promote safety.
The City has painted broader white lines in front of stop signs in its neighborhoods so that there is no confusion on the part of drivers about where to stop. Safety Coordinator Tommy Jacobs points out that the law requires drivers to come to a complete stop behind the white bar. Failure to do so constitutes running a stop sign.
NES trimming trees in Oak Hill
Nashville Electric Service is currently trimming trees within the Oak Hill City limits.
The City office has received several calls from residents, but the City was not contacted before these activities and has no regulatory authority over NES.
“It is our opinion that trees should be trimmed to the minimum necessary to protect the power supply to our residents,” said City Manager Kevin Helms.
If you experience a problem relating to the tree trimming, please let us know by emailing kevin.helms@oakhilltn.us. It’s important that you contact NES at 695-7400 on issues involving tree trimming, because the City of Oak Hill has no control over the program. You can also contact your Metro Council representative Carter Todd here.
Former Commissioner dies
Former Oak Hill Commissioner Kenn West died March 10. He was 87.
After serving on the Planning Commission, Mr. West was elected Oak Hill Commissioner from 1988 until 2002, when he moved out of the City. He also served as Vice Mayor in 2002.
"We're grateful for Kenn's many years of service," said Mayor Tommy Alsup. "He gave a lot to the City, and we'll miss him."
During his tenure, Mr. West completed Be on the Lookout training at Metro Police Academy. In addition, his education and experience in architecture and building construction equipped him with the knowledge to well serve Oak Hill residents in City government and planning.
Mr. West was a architecture graduate of Kansas State University. After serving in the Navy as a fighter pilot, he joined ESA as an architect in 1963. Retiring after 25 years, Mr. West formed a consulting business and was City engineer for Belle Meade for five years.
Mr. West is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 35 years, and children Brad, Jeff, Carol, and Rebecca.
Memorial gifts may be made to the music department of First Presbyterian Church.
Craig Buffkin joins BZA
Mayor Tommy Alsup has named Craig Buffkin to fill an unexpired term on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
"After enjoying Oak Hill for almost 13 years and having a wife who grew up in Oak Hill, I thought serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals would be a great way to give back to a community that has meant so much to our family," Buffkin said.
He replaces Steve Wasserman, who resigned over potential conflicts with his position with the Court of Appeals.
Buffkin is currently involved with Boy Scouts of America and has served on the boards of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Y-Cap of YMCA.
He's the founder of The Buffkin Group, an executive search firm.
Old Hickory Blvd. water line replacement runs through May
Metro Water Services is replacing water lines along Old Hickory Blvd.
The project will affect the north side of Old Hickory Blvd. between Franklin Pike and Granny White Pike. It is scheduled to last until May.
Live audio of meetings set to begin in April
The City of Oak Hill has received computer equipment needed to begin streaming the audio of meetings on the website. A kickoff meeting with the service provider, Granicus, February 5 set the schedule for equipment installation, software installation, and training.
The meetings will first be recorded in the month of March, but at that time the audio will be posted about a week after the meetings are held. Beginning in April, the meetings will be streamed "live" with a delay of approximately two minutes.
Comment on bike paths, school sidewalks April 12
A public meeting at Glendale Elementary School, 800 Thompson Avenue, on April 12 at 6 p.m. will give citizens the opportunity to offer comments on two different subjects: the location of new bike paths and/or bike lanes within the City, and the potential use of Safe Routes to School funding to construct sidewalks in an area surrounding elementary schools.
The room will be divided into two sections, and the meetings will occur simultaneously. These sessions will be very informal, with staff members stationed around maps of various sections of the City. We will discuss the projects in small groups and record your thoughts on comment cards as to the proper locations for these projects to be constructed. We will staff the locations until 8 p.m., and citizens may drop by to offer their thoughts at any point in time during the two-hour window. Comment cards will be posted after the meeting for those who could not attend.
We encourage those of you who are interested in the bike paths and/or bike lanes to review the Multi-County Metro area plan here before commenting. Download a Davidson County map here and a regional map here.
It should be noted that funding is currently available for the bike project, but an application will still need to be submitted and funding sought for the sidewalks.
The City would like to thank Glendale Elementary School, its principal, and its Parent Teacher Organization for making the meeting space available to us.
Radnor asks City to help acquire adjacent property
Radnor Lake needs Oak Hill's help in acquiring the property shaded in yellow.
Oak Hill would improve residents' quality of life, protect water quality, and preserve its viewshed if it helps Radnor Lake acquire adjacent land, says a proposal from Steve Ward, park manager of Radnor Lake State Natural Area.
Friends of Radnor Lake has bought six acres in the past 18 months: five acres in 2008, and one acre in December 2009. It wants Oak Hill's help in acquiring a third property. (See map.)
"We would like to request the City of Oak Hill to consider financial support of $750,000 for the 9.5 acres currently owned by Civic Bank," Ward's proposal to the City says. "With this financial support, the land acquisition priorities/needs in this portion of Oak Hill (outlined in 1973) will be finished."
The proposal adds that Friends of Radnor Lake could use Oak Hill's money to match upcoming federal grants through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, to purchase additional acreage.
Oak Hill will benefit from better quality of life. Development around Radnor Lake would negatively impact water quality and wildlife populations, as well as "viewshed"—the natural environment that is visible from a specific viewing point.
The ultimate goal, the proposal says, is to ensure high quality of life for Oak Hill residents, wildlife, and Radnor Lake visitors.
Trees
feed
Radnor trails
As a part of the annual Trees To Trails program, Christmas trees of Oak Hill residents are picked up from beside the road by Jackaroo, chipped, and delivered to Radnor Lake.
Tree contest deadlines April 9
The Nashville Tree Foundation's annual Big Old Tree Contest celebrates its 23rd anniversary of finding the biggest and oldest trees in Davidson County.
Do you have a big old tree, or know where one is? Click here to enter. Deadline for entries is April 9.
Anyone can nominate trees of any species in Davidson County. Trees can be on the property of the nominator, the public, neighbor, friend, or stranger. The owner's permission is suggested but not required.
Cold weather the best time to plant trees
You might not know it, but cold weather is actually a good time to plant trees. By planting while the tree is dormant, it has the best chance to recover and establish itself before the stress of summer heat hits.
One of the most important parts of planting a tree is planning ahead for its ongoing and future needs. You'll need to pick a spot that provides the amount of sunlight, moisture, and drainage suited to the particular species of tree you select.
Equally important is envisioning what it will look like in years to come. Do your homework ahead of time to determine the tree's mature height and crown spread.
Never plant a tall variety of tree under or near powerlines. If you do, the tree ultimately will have to be drastically cut back or removed, and no one likes to see that.
Nashville Tree Foundation, in cooperation with Nashville Electric Service, Metro Tree Advisory Committee, and Metro Parks, has produced a booklet called "Powerline Approved Trees" with guidelines for site selection and examples of species that can safely be planted under wires. Free copies are available from the City office or by download here.
No BZA meeting in February
The February Board of Zoning Appeals meeting has been cancelled because there are no items on the agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for March 16.
Special Weather Alert
On Thursday afternoon the City began a pre-salting program for our roads in preparation for today's weather. The trucks rolled back out this morning to try and keep the streets clear while the precipitation fell. Unfortunately, the mix of snow and ice have overwhelmed our efforts.
At eight o'clock Friday evening we are halting our efforts as the precipitation is coming down faster than we can clear the roads. To continue at this point would be a waste of City resources, and many other entities have made similar decisions.
Our trucks will start working again around four o'clock Saturday morning. However, it may be longer before we reach the higher elevations.
We encourage you to stay home and not be out on the roads. There are two primary reasons for this. First and foremost, it is for your safety. Additionally, vehicles traveling on the roads before our salt trucks have them properly treated only makes their job tougher. When their job is made tougher, the time it takes to clear the roads for our residents is lengthened.
We hope that you enjoy the peace and beauty that this event has brought to Oak Hill. Please be safe and take this opportunity to spend time with your family, friends, and neighbors.
2009 news archive