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Rountree residents urge protections as city discusses annexation and industrial zoning
Summary
Neighbors near Rountree Drive told the council they fear industrial rezoning and heavy traffic if a nearby property is annexed. Residents asked for a cul-de-sac, active buffers and limits on blasting and truck routes; the economic development director said staff are negotiating buffers with the owner.
Several residents from Rountree Drive and surrounding streets addressed the Gallatin City Council during public recognition to object to the possible annexation and rezoning of a nearby parcel.
"We have much concern about the proposal of annexation of the property at the end of Rountree Drive," said Judy Harden, identifying herself as a Rountree resident. Harden said the neighborhood—s current lot sizes range up to three acres and that residents wanted either preservation, one-acre minimums or buffers if the land is annexed and rezoned. "We would like to see where the residential area of Rountree ends... that a cul de sac is built there," she said, and asked for "active buffers and buffers that are maintained long term."
Joshua Pearman, another nearby homeowner, said his property backs up to an industrial complex but that trees currently separate it from industrial uses. "The possibility of that changing, us being in an industrial zone surrounded by industry, quite frankly, frightens all of us," he said, asking the council to consider residential as the best fit.
Mark Wall, another Rountree resident, said the neighborhood sought peace and quiet and that restrictions should be placed if industrial zoning is approved.
Rosemary Bates, director of the city—s Economic Development Agency, told the council she had spoken with the property owner and that EDA had already discussed buffers and potential roadway connections. Bates said the property owner wants annexation and rezoning to industrial and that staff have discussed buffering, cul-de-sac options and routing to avoid Rountree. "We hear them. We agree with many of their concerns," Bates said. "I am here to support the annexation and, ultimately, the rezoning to industrial and nothing but industrial restricted or whatever it will be called under the new zoning code."
The council did not decide zoning at the public-comment stage; city staff said zoning and comp-plan amendments would be reviewed later by planning commission and then by council with public hearings.
