Residents ask county for public meetings, stormwater fixes and traffic plans after SportsPlex funding approved

Several residents asked the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on Monday to hold public information sessions and address existing drainage and road conditions after the county approved funding for a regional SportsPlex on a three‑plus–acre tract it purchased.

The concerns were raised during the public address period by residents who live near the SportsPlex site. Mike Lida, who said he is “largely supportive” of the project, asked whether the county would hold an information session now that the project is approved and asked for a timeline and participation by planners and DOT so neighbors could have technical questions answered. “Will there be an information session where we can get details regarding the project, including the timeline?” Lida asked.

Barry Woodward, who also lives on Irvin Drive, said the project maps show a wooded buffer but raised safety and infrastructure concerns for people who hunt in nearby woods and for failing neighborhood roads. He said an existing 9‑inch sewer line serves the school and worried about future commercial development and increased traffic on Riverwood neighborhood streets. “The traffic that gets confused and takes a left turn coming out of River Oaks … increased traffic, what we can do to direct that traffic out the exit the way they're supposed to go instead of riding through our neighborhoods,” Woodward said.

Neighbors also urged the county to address current stormwater and sediment problems that already affect High Rock Lake and a culvert on Irvin Drive. Lida described flooding of about four inches over Irvin Drive during heavy rain and said sediment has reduced passable areas of Duck Cove.

At the meeting, Chairman Adam (last name not specified in the transcript) responded directly to some questions, saying the county will invite the public to participate in the planning process and that engineers will examine flooding issues raised by residents. He asked residents to document specific trouble spots for staff and said the county would try to address concerns as the design proceeds.

Lida and Woodward also raised concerns about the SportsPlex’s planned RV park, noting the developer had proposed a one‑week stay limit. Lida said short stays help prevent long‑term residency but worried that bathrooms, showers and turnover could attract panhandling or people living in vehicles near the site. The chairman said county staff would check with Dan Nicholas Park staff on experience with homeless encampments there.

Commissioners also sought to correct misinformation in public comment. Commissioner (name not specified) said that commissioners cannot award county contracts to themselves or personally profit from county incentives, responding to an assertion heard in the community.

The board did not take public action on any of the neighborhood requests during the public comment period. Commissioners and staff said the project is in an early planning stage following the recent funding approval and that additional public input opportunities would be scheduled.