Harriman Council Hears Midtown Traffic Update, Approves Payroll Controls

HARRIMAN — The Harriman City Council met in regular session Tuesday night, with Vice Mayor Alicia Harris presiding in the absence of the mayor.

While the agenda was relatively light, one of the most notable updates came during City Manager Scott Mason’s monthly report. Mason told council members that potential traffic flow changes are being considered in the Midtown area, especially near the major shopping centers along Highway 70.

According to Mason, city officials recently met with representatives from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to discuss safety concerns in the area. TDOT has decided not to install a traffic signal at the middle entrance to the Lowe’s shopping center, located across from Weigel’s, but other changes are now under consideration.

One possible solution would involve installing curbing to restrict traffic movements at that entrance. Under the proposal, drivers leaving both Weigel’s and the Lowe’s middle entrance would be limited to right turns only, eliminating left turns in an effort to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of crashes.

City officials said traffic in the area is expected to grow, especially with a new motel planned behind Weigel’s and Bojangles. That expected increase in traffic was one of the main reasons the city originally requested a signal study.

Although TDOT has denied the signal request for now, city officials say they plan to continue pushing for a traffic light and could request another study in the future. Additional updates are expected as discussions continue.

In other business, council members approved new payroll account controls for the city’s payroll account at One Bank. The change updates who is authorized to sign on the account and now allows combinations of the mayor or vice mayor along with the city manager or city clerk. Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening internal financial controls and oversight.

The council also approved on first reading an ordinance change that would amend sections of the Harriman Municipal Code dealing with abandoned, inoperative, or junk vehicles within the city. A public hearing on that proposed ordinance change is expected at next month’s council meeting.

Council members also denied a rezoning request involving property at 316 Walker Road. The request, submitted by Christy Gedelman on behalf of property owner Don Epperly, sought to rezone the property from C-2 commercial to R-1 residential in order to subdivide the land and build three homes. The Harriman Regional Planning Commission had recommended denial.