Robertson County tables Clarion Homes rezoning after residents raise road, safety and drainage concerns

The Robertson County Commission on a June 2025 meeting tabled a request by Clarion Homes to rezone 39.3 acres on Horseshoe Road and Callister Road from AG‑2 to R‑40, delaying a final vote for one month after more than a dozen residents and commissioners raised concerns about road widths, emergency response, drainage and septic service.

The rezoning request (Resolution 061625043) would allow Clarion Homes to develop a single‑family subdivision on the Graves farm; the developer said preliminary plans under R‑40 would create up to 31 lots, each about 0.9 acre, and homes between about 2,400 and 3,000 square feet. The county planning commission recommended approval by a 5–0 vote.

Why it matters: residents said the nearby roads are too narrow for more traffic and for emergency vehicles, local fire‑protection and water infrastructure is already strained, and nearby low spots cause recurring flooding. The commission voted to pause action so staff and commissioners can consider pending highway department rules and other near‑term items affecting road improvements.

Residents urged the commission to slow growth on the site. “I’m not opposed to growth. I’m just opposed to not doing it the right way,” said Chris Boger, a Calista Road resident who said his family has lived in the area for decades. His wife, Tanis Boger, cited emergency‑response concerns: “How are you going to respond to those additional homes and the people that live in them? You’ve got to think about our police. You’ve got to think about our fire.”

Opponents repeatedly pointed to Horseshoe Road’s condition and narrow widths. “Horseshoe is not capable of taking any more traffic,” said Terry Payne, a resident who described frequent water‑main repairs and traffic hazards. Trent Anderson, a nearby property owner, told commissioners he expects future large developments on adjacent properties and warned of cumulative effects on schools and drainage.

Clarion Homes representatives and their engineer said the site can be served with water and septic and described changes they would make. “White House Utility District has approved the water taps needed for the neighborhood,” said Rachel Seal, who said she co‑owns Clarion Homes with family members. Johnny Johnson, a company principal, and Allison Turner of Greenlit Design, the project engineer, said soils testing and septic evaluations support the proposed lot layout and that most lots would be larger than typical single‑family lots nearby.

Turner said the developer plans internal roads and will not put driveways directly onto Callister or Horseshoe roads. She also said Clarion Homes agreed to widen Horseshoe Road by two feet from the edge of the developer’s property toward Callister Road for about 750 feet to improve maneuverability and visibility at the intersection.

Planning staff and consultants said typical plat and permitting steps will require additional engineering review. Hunter, the county planner, told the commission that retention/ detention requirements and plat review will determine needed stormwater controls and that a detention feature would normally be required as part of the plat process.

Several commenters raised insurance and fire‑protection concerns. One resident said the area’s ISO rating is 10, which affected homeowners’ insurance premiums; speakers asked whether existing fire and EMS resources could handle more homes. County staff did not assert any immediate change to fire service capacity; the commission instead opted to delay action to allow highway staff and planning staff to consider the project in light of near‑term rule changes and funding discussions.

After public comment and a period of commissioner discussion the commission voted to table the rezoning request for one month. The motion passed; commissioners said the pause will allow the highway department time to finalize proposed standards for developer contributions to road improvements and allow staff to present any new guidance to the commission before a final vote.

The developer and project team said they will continue to work with county staff on design details and infrastructure commitments; planners will return the application to the commission at the next regular meeting unless the applicant requests otherwise.