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Commissioners reject rezoning request from R‑1 to R‑1A after neighbors, commissioners raise drainage and character concerns
Summary
The Montgomery County Commission voted 13–7 to deny a rezoning request by This Vision Home Builders LLC to change a parcel from R‑1 to R‑1A after extended debate about neighborhood character, drainage and sewer infrastructure.
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners voted June 9 to deny a rezoning request by This Vision Home Builders LLC to change a parcel from R‑1 (single-family) to R‑1A (smaller-lot single-family).
Commissioner Kenny Harper raised several concerns during debate, telling the board that R‑1A “would not be an extension of any existing zoning close to this area” and called the request “spot zoning.” He said the lots in the developer’s referenced subdivision, Hereford Farms, are zoned R‑1, not R‑1A, and said standing water and a high water table on the rear of the property raised drainage concerns. “I cannot support this rezoning,” Harper said.
Commissioner Woodruff and Commissioner Shelton both cited sewage and character concerns. Woodruff noted an unresolved sewer routing approval that he said would be required to serve the development, saying “I’m having issues with saying yes to it” because state approval to cross a right-of-way had not been secured. Shelton said long-established neighborhood character and resident opposition motivated his no vote.
Commissioner Leppard, who represented the county on the regional planning commission (RPC), urged support, saying the RPC staff recommended approval and found the request “consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the adopted Clarksville Montgomery County comprehensive plan,” and described the R‑1A standards as a modest increase in density compared with R‑1.
Commissioner Smith, who also serves on the RPC, noted the zoning request is the smallest incremental increase in density and said developers are responsible for bringing sewer connections and meeting stormwater engineering standards.
On the roll call, the clerk recorded 7 yeses, 13 noes and 0 abstentions; the resolution failed.
Discussion focused on infrastructure (sewer routing and stormwater detention), compatibility with surrounding lots and past attempts to change the property's zoning. No amendment or referral to staff was adopted; the commission’s action was a final denial on the rezoning request at this meeting.
