Council hears rezoning request to convert Tiny Town Road parcel to highway commercial; nearby tenants oppose

City planning staff on May 29 presented a request to rezone about 0.87 acre on Tiny Town Road from an outdated “A airport” classification to C-5 Highway and Arterial Commercial to permit a retail center, a change the staff and Regional Planning Commission recommended approving.

The request drew pushback from nearby residents and tenants who said they oppose commercial reclassification directly adjacent to residential uses. Council members asked staff about traffic, driveway locations and why the previous airport designation no longer exists in the zoning code.

Planning staff said the parcel fronts Tiny Town Road and that the airport zoning classification no longer exists in the current code; many airport-related controls are now handled by the airport overlay district. The applicant stated the site is suitable for commercial use because of access to major highways and nearby growing neighborhoods. Staff reported no department objections and that the parcel’s future‑land‑use designation is commercial/industrial hybrid. The planning commission recommended approval and staff recommended approval.

Councilman Zacharias said he had spoken with tenants of the duplex next door and relayed their opposition: “I have spoken to, the tenants of the the duplex next door, and they asked me to share that they are opposed to this, zoning, redesignation.” Councilman Chandler and others asked for clarification about access and how the site compares with other nearby rezoning requests. Planning staff said traffic access for state roads will involve TDOT and that shared access and cross‑access agreements would be considered during site plan review.

No formal council vote was recorded in the session transcript; the item remained before the council for further consideration.