OAKLAND, TN - A new DMV Highway Patrol substation is going up in Oakland, TN, but neighbors say it could put their kids in danger. The facility is being built just a few feet from homes in the subdivision. The only entrance is right next to the driveways leading up to homes.
When people in the Sommerset subdivision started to see work being done in the lot right next door to homes, they assumed another house was going up, but when they heard what it actually was, they couldn't believe it.
"Civilized people do not put a drivers license facility in a neighborhood," said concerned resident Stacy Weaver. "I'm concerned for my children, and it's a safety concern for myself as well as all my neighbors too, because that's going to bring so much traffic into our neighborhood. It's a huge safety concern, and we're not getting any help from our city government."
Oakland Mayor William Mullins says it's above his authority. He passed along a petition neighbors put together to state leaders.
"Why couldn't it have been a couple hundred yards toward the main street instead of in our subdivision?” asked concerned resident Michael Alliston. “That's our main concern."
State Representative Barrett Rich says he's looking into it after concerned neighbors contacted him. He says the state will rent the facility from the developer. The city already zoned this area for commercial use.
"I feel sorry for the person who owns that house because I certainly wouldn't want a DMV right next to my house," said concerned resident Nancy Alliston.
Mayor Mullins says he thinks people will be happy when they see the final result, and it will add something to the community.
"A driveway to a DMV is not an asset to anyone's property value to anyone's neighborhood,” said Weaver. “It's a safety concern."
"We're up in arms because they've snuck this under the wire without letting us know,” said Nancy Alliston. “So we're not sure what's going on."
For now, people are just watching this lot to see what will become of it and how it could affect their quality of life.
Representative Rich says he hopes to see the lease the state will take out on the facility. If it hasn't been signed, he wants to try to get some provisions in it, including one that would call for an entrance off Highway 64 instead of in the subdivision. He also wants one that would prevent student drivers or those taking driving tests from driving around the neighborhood.
