Friends of the Piney River is a volunteer group of concerned citizens and landowners along the Piney River who are opposed to the Pinewood Surf Club coming to Hickman County. The Piney River is beautiful and the land surrounding it is as well.

What is the Pinewood Surf Club Development

Out-of-state developers have purchased an 800-acre farm in the Pinewood community, which has 1 1/2 miles of Piney River frontage. The developers propose to build a members-only club with 300 houses on 1-acre lots, a 5-acre artificial surf wave pool, an 18-hole golf course, equine facilities, and other amenities, all of which would be for the exclusive use of club members. Not only would this development dramatically affect the rural character of the area, but it would also have profound adverse consequences for the pristine Piney River, a river that has been designated an “exceptional water” of Tennessee.

Why We Are Against This

BAD IDEA

The concept of a 5-acre concrete wave pool in a flood plain with no designated water supply churning waves large enough to ocean surf is ludicrous on its face.

NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The developers claim they will raise the level of the property out of the flood plain; even if they could, it would create more flooding and disruptions up and downstream.

QUESTIONABLE PREMISE

The vehicle being used for zoning approval is for private developments where the amenities could only be used by its owners or guests. The obvious loophole is that the residences could be used as vacation rentals like VRBO and Airbnb, and those guests would have unlimited access.

WHO IS REALLY BEHIND THIS?

The exact identity of the buyers of the property, the developers, and other promoters of the Surf Club are hazy at best, shielded by a maze of shell companies and individuals from South Florida to California.

NOT SMART GROWTH

We are all for smart growth, with quality new jobs and investments. This development is not smart growth, doesn’t represent an orderly approach to maintaining the rural character of portions outside the Centerville city limits, and would set a horrible precedent for other secluded, beautiful areas like Totty’s Bend, Swan Creek Valley, and Lowe’s Bend.