Wilson County commissioners deny First Park 840 rezoning after contentious hearing on flooding, traffic and quality of life

Wilson County commissioners voted 13–12 on July 21 to deny a request by First Industrial Realty Trust to rezone roughly 70 acres near the SR‑840/Couchville Pike interchange for an industrial development called First Park 840.

The developer and its engineers told the commission the project would pay more than $6 million in private stormwater improvements, widen portions of Couchville Pike and Underwood Road, and build a system of retention ponds and cleaned sinkholes engineered to manage a 100‑year storm. Many nearby homeowners opposed the rezoning, saying the project would harm the area’s rural character, increase heavy‑truck traffic and could make flooding worse for neighbors who remain.

The hearing drew more than 50 public commenters and multiple technical presentations. Jason Jackson, a First Industrial representative, told commissioners the proposal included a stormwater system sized to the 100‑year event and road improvements “of almost a million dollars” for Couchville Pike and Underwood Road. Jackson said the developer would install a 20‑foot undisturbed buffer—roughly double the county minimum—and limit truck access so that Underwood and Lone Oak roads would not be used for regular truck traffic.

Engineers supporting the plan described technical measures intended to reduce runoff. Mark Boyd, identified in the meeting as a senior…