WMC-TV: News, Weather, Traffic, Radar, and Sports for Memphis, TN; WMCTV.com | Oakland residents express concern about driver's testing center

Oakland residents express concern about driver's testing center

By Justin Hanson - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

OAKLAND, TN (WMC-TV) - Residents in the Fayette county town of Oakland are unhappy about new a Tennessee Highway Patrol substation and driver testing center set to be built along Highway 64.

For residents in the Sommerset subdivision, growth isn't always a good thing.

"We were just hoping and praying the city would build something that would add to the community and not take away," resident Teresa Holmes said.

Residents of the subdivision are upset and concerned for the safety of their children, because the new driver testing center is set to be built on a vacant lot just feet away from where children play.

"Typically there are children everywhere riding bikes, playing in the street because we don't have sidewalks," Holmes said.

"A person looking for a DMV is not going to look for it in a neighborhood. They're gonna be looking for it on the front of 64," resident Stacy Weaver added.

The substation, which will be built by a private developer, will be leased by the state for 10 years.

The main entrance and exit for the facility will be located along Beau Tisdale Drive, which is the main entrance into the subdivision.

"All I want is for someone for realize that's poor planning and these entrances need to be off Highway 64," Weaver said.

Oakland Alderman Chuck Wombaugh agreed.

"It's gonna create more traffic than originally anticipated," he said. "I can see them envisioning another Summer Avenue, where cars are parked up and down the street waiting to get in line."

Representative Barrett Rich has written a letter to Governor Phil Bredesen requesting help.

"I'm not exactly sure at this point whether there will be other options, but I'm working on that and share their concerns," Rich said.

Oakland residents plan to attend Tuesday's city planning commission meeting to voice their concerns.

Copyright 2009 WMC-TV. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.