Clarksville Council Debates Old Russellville Pike Rezoning Amid Stormwater Concerns

City officials review history of flooding and pipe issues in area ahead of second vote on rezoning proposal.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:23pm

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The Clarksville City Council resumed discussions on a proposed rezoning of the Old Russellville Pike area, with the Street Department providing historical data and imagery from 1997 and 2010 to address ongoing stormwater concerns. The council is set to vote on the rezoning for a second time on April 2, with public comments being heard beforehand.

Why it matters

The rezoning proposal has faced pushback from some residents worried about increased traffic and flooding risks in the area. The city's review of past stormwater issues aims to address these concerns and provide context ahead of the council's final decision.

The details

The Street Department shared imagery showing significant flooding in the area in 1997 and 2010, with water impacting nearby railroad tracks. In the early 2000s, the city and a railroad company were cited by state and federal agencies for unauthorized work to evacuate water, which was deemed a violation of wetland protections. Since then, the city has been limited in its ability to make changes to the stormwater infrastructure. The current rezoning proposal includes plans for an 18-inch pipe to help manage water flow, which officials say should be an improvement over the existing 12-inch pipe.

  • In 1997, the area surrounding Old Russellville Pike experienced significant flooding, with water impacting nearby railroad tracks.
  • In 2010, the area saw another major flood event, with water contours extending past the proposed rezoning site.
  • In the early 2000s, the city and a railroad company were cited by state and federal agencies for unauthorized work to evacuate water, which was deemed a violation of wetland protections.

The players

David Smith

Street Department Director for the City of Clarksville, who provided historical data and imagery related to stormwater issues in the Old Russellville Pike area.

R.J. Corman

A railroad company that was cited along with the city for unauthorized work to evacuate water in the early 2000s, which was deemed a violation of wetland protections.

Joe Shakeenab

A Clarksville City Councilperson who walked the railroad tracks and looked at the property from several angles to assess the stormwater concerns.

Keri Lovato

A Clarksville City Councilperson who asked about the implementation of an 18-inch pipe to address flooding issues on Old Russellville Pike.

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What they’re saying

“You can see the contour of the sediment chasing just past the line on the northeast side, again, not to the homes. Then, again, the two equalization lines shedding water to the east side of the R.J. Corman Line, as it's designed.”

— David Smith, Street Department Director

“Apparently, it worked a little too well, and it got the attention of the Army Corp of Engineers, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.”

— David Smith, Street Department Director

What’s next

The Clarksville City Council is scheduled to vote on the rezoning proposal for Old Russellville Pike on Thursday, April 2, at 6 p.m. Public comments will be taken before the meeting, usually between 5:30-6 p.m.

The takeaway

The ongoing debate over the Old Russellville Pike rezoning highlights the complex interplay between development, stormwater management, and environmental regulations in Clarksville. The city's review of historical flooding data aims to provide a more informed basis for the council's final decision, which will impact the future of this area.