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Residents urge pause on rezoning near Pinson School Road, citing traffic and infrastructure concerns
Summary
Multiple residents told the commission they oppose new residential rezonings that would add dozens of homes along Pinson School Road, arguing the narrow, winding road, limited water and gas capacity and a nearby blind intersection on Highway 76 make the corridor unsafe for higher-density development.
Several residents spoke during the public hearing portion of the Robertson County Commission meeting on May 19 to oppose rezonings that would allow dozens of new homes near Pinson School Road.
Tom Wickburg, who said his property adjoins proposed development land on Pinson School Road, told commissioners the roadway is narrow and “very dangerous,” and argued that adding roughly 31 homes in a single development would nearly double the number of households using the road. Wickburg asked whether any traffic or infrastructure studies had been performed and called for more analysis before allowing higher density.
Another resident, Charles Gregory, also told the commission his land does not border the proposed parcels but echoed concerns about the road’s geometry, noting “nine 90-degree turns” and a blind spot where Pinson School Road intersects Highway 76. Gregory said he had been told by others that improvements to Highway 76 were not expected for several years, and he said the additional traffic would increase the risk of crashes.
Speakers also raised questions about utility capacity: whether water and gas lines could support additional development, given older pipes in parts of the area. One speaker noted that water-line upgrades previously installed predated current housing levels and asked whether the county or developer would ensure capacity for new customers.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and noted several rezoning requests were on the agenda. Commissioners reiterated that the county’s highway superintendent and the highway department review roadway impacts; those staff recommendations are considered by the planning commission and then the county commission. Several commissioners said they had visited the area and expressed sympathy with residents’ concerns about the road geometry and turnout limitations.
No new county ordinance or infrastructure project to widen or realign Pinson School Road was approved at the meeting. Commissioners and staff said appropriate department reviews and the planning commission process remain the mechanism to review traffic and infrastructure impacts, and staff indicated the highway department reviews and the highway commissioners would be asked to consider specific road or turning-lane improvements for any approved developments.
