Clarksville Council Approves Old Russellville Pike Rezoning, Corman to Clean Up Nearby Tracks

The council narrowly voted to rezone over 10 acres, allowing for more residential development, despite concerns from neighbors.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:55am

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A high-quality, photorealistic studio still-life photograph depicting a carefully arranged pile of rusted railroad debris, including metal, wooden ties, and other discarded materials, against a clean, monochromatic background. The dramatic lighting and shadows create a sense of the neglected infrastructure and environmental concerns in the community.The cleanup of long-neglected railroad debris near Old Russellville Pike aims to address a persistent community issue.Clarksville Today

The Clarksville City Council has approved the second reading of a rezoning proposal for over 10 acres on Old Russellville Pike, transitioning the land from single-family residential to a higher-density zoning. This decision came after months of debate, with residents voicing concerns about potential flooding and traffic issues. Meanwhile, the mayor announced that railroad company R.J. Corman has agreed to address debris found near the tracks in the area.

Why it matters

The rezoning will allow for more residential development in the area, which has raised concerns from existing residents about the potential for increased flooding and traffic congestion. The mayor's announcement about R.J. Corman cleaning up the nearby railroad debris is also significant, as it addresses a longstanding issue that has impacted the community.

The details

The rezoning will allow the property owners, Tommy and Reecie Byard, to sell the land to a developer, Chris Blackwell, who they believe is willing to address some of the neighbors' concerns. The previous zoning would have allowed for 35 lots, while the new R-2A zoning is expected to result in around 49 lots. During the council votes, the rezoning was narrowly approved, with the second reading passing 7-5-1.

  • The City Council approved the second reading of the rezoning on April 3, 2026.
  • The mayor announced that R.J. Corman has agreed to clean up the railroad debris in the next few weeks.

The players

Tommy and Reecie Byard

The property owners who have been looking to sell the land to a developer.

Chris Blackwell

The developer who the Byards believe is willing to address some of the neighbors' concerns.

Mayor Joe Pitts

The mayor of Clarksville who announced that R.J. Corman has agreed to clean up the railroad debris in the area.

R.J. Corman

The railroad company responsible for the debris near the tracks that will be cleaning up the area.

Wanda Smith

The Clarksville City Councilwoman who changed her vote from no to abstain on the second reading of the rezoning.

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What they’re saying

“They put them on notice about the debris, and they (R.J. Corman) has agreed to address it. They will be sending a crew out to that clean up, and we should see a noticeable difference in the next few weeks.”

— Mayor Joe Pitts

What’s next

The mayor's office will monitor the progress of R.J. Corman's cleanup efforts in the coming weeks to ensure the debris is properly removed from the area near the railroad tracks.

The takeaway

This rezoning decision highlights the ongoing tension between development and the concerns of existing residents in Clarksville. While the council approved the higher-density zoning, the community's worries about flooding and traffic will need to be addressed by the developer. The mayor's intervention to get the railroad company to clean up the debris is a positive step in addressing a longstanding issue in the neighborhood.