Truck stop developer suing city of Monteagle over building permits

MONTEAGLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- For years, the town of Monteagle has been fighting over whether or not a truck stop would be built.

In 2021, the Monteagle city council approved a new Travel America Petro Rest Stop to be built by RBT Enterprises, owned by Rodney Kilgore.

The truck stop would be built along Dixie Lee Avenue, right off of exit 135 on I-24.

Current state of the property where the Petro’s Truck Stop may be built. (From: United to Protect the Plateau)

However, neighbors voiced various concerns about how it could impact their water supply and quality of life.

This came to a head at two meetings last year in Monteagle, as their council voted to not restore RBT’s vested property rights.

Those are given to a business for a period of time after approval by a commission for a building permit.

An attorney for Monteagle argued that Kilgore’s permit had expired by July 2024, leading to the town council voting to not extend that permit, and by extension, the property rights.

However, Kilgore’s attorney argued in a Marion County courtroom on Friday that his property rights in Monteagle to build his truck stop are being violated.

Kilgore told us after the hearing, “With a lot of restaurants in it, employ a lot of people, it’ll make the town a lot better and look a lot better.”

He says he felt that suing the city was his only course of action.

“We have met all of the requirements, but the city has started this property rights deal and kept us from getting a permit. That’s why we are here today is to get issued a permit, where they won’t take our property rights,” Kilgore said.

We have previously spoken with Monteagle residents who voiced concerns about the impact of the truck stop on their lives.

One resident, William Best, had told us, “There are literally nights that the front doors of our residence, the windows will vibrate… Monteagle has one water source, and that’s Laurel Lake. We have proven time and time again that the runoff from the property goes directly to Laurel Lake.”

However, Kilgore insists his truck stop will not lead to these issues.

Kilgore said, “We already have retention ponds ready to go with the project. The pad is built, the tanks is there, the building is on the ground, we’re ready to build a Petro Truck Stop.”

Marion County Judge Melissa Thomas will issue her ruling on this issue at a future hearing.