Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Subdivision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves 26‑lot Friendsville Road subdivision rezoning despite neighbors’ concerns
Summary
The commission approved a rezoning for a 26‑lot subdivision with an entrance off Highway 321; nearby residents raised traffic, density and school-bus safety concerns during the public hearing.
Loudon County commissioners on June 2 approved a rezoning that will allow a developer to build roughly 26 detached homes on a property accessed from Highway 321, after a presentation from the applicant and public comment from nearby residents.
The applicant described plans for 26 lots of roughly half‑acre each, with ranch and two‑story house plans ranging “anywhere from 1,500 feet to 2,500 feet” (square feet) and an expected price range “anywhere from $400,000 to $500,000.” The developer told commissioners the subdivision entrance would be off Highway 321, not Friendsville Road, and that the Tennessee Department of Transportation had signed off on the entrance. He said a hammerhead turnaround would be provided so school buses can enter and turn around on the site.
Neighbors at the hearing voiced safety and density concerns. Crystal Todd said 26 homes on 17 acres would be “crowded” and worried about school‑bus loading onto a busy highway. Jeffrey Mark Merck and other residents asked the commission to preserve one‑acre lot sizes in parts of the county and questioned whether approving a cluster option would open the door to denser development elsewhere.
Commissioners discussed the county’s recent zoning changes, including the new R‑2 cluster option that allows smaller lots only when developers dedicate at least 25 percent of the acreage to open space. Commissioner comments emphasized that rezoning approvals apply only to the proposal before the commission and that if the approved project is not completed as presented, the land would revert to its prior zoning.
Commissioner Satterfield moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Shaver seconded. The motion passed on a roll call and the item will proceed to planning‑level review and any required site‑plan steps before construction.
Speakers requested additional drawings and display materials from the applicant; county staff and the developer agreed to bring detailed plans to future planning commission meetings for review.
