Trucking terminal cited for public nuisance after clearing trees that used to buffer terminal noise, lights

A trucking terminal in Tennessee has been cited for public nuisance after clearing a swath of trees that used to protect a nearby neighborhood from terminal noise and lighting. 

Crown Enterprises owns the trucking terminal in Smyrna, Tennessee near the Lake Farm neighborhood. The company recently removed a line of trees that served as a natural noise and light barrier for the people in the neighborhood. Now that the trees are gone, residents say that the effect the trucking company has on their quality of life is significantly worse. 

According to Fox17, the trucking company has now been cited for public nuisance related to open storage, and lighting, and a case is scheduled for later this week. 

“Crown Enterprises has been cited to Municipal Court for violations related to open storage (Section 11-901, Public Nuisance) and lighting (Section 14-101 – 4.130.9 Lighting),” the Town of Smyrna wrote in a public statement. 

“The company has reported that it has retained a contractor to address the lighting concerns and is actively working to remediate the site, including chipping and removing downed trees. Town staff has confirmed that debris removal is underway, and follow-up inspections will be conducted throughout the weekend to verify that the lighting adjustments have been completed in compliance with applicable standards,” the statement continued.

“Town staff is closely monitoring the situation to ensure all work complies with Town ordinances. We continue to address neighbors’ concerns and visit the site regularly to ensure the company is held accountable for its actions and its plans moving forward. We are working through all communication channels with both the residents and the company to avoid the lack of communication that was evident in the company’s initial actions.”

The case will be heard on Thursday, April 23rd at the Smyrna Justice Center.

“If you’ve ever been woken up at two or three in the morning and hear that beep, beep, beep — the backup alarms are not soothing,” one resident said.