Planning Commission approves variances for Oaks Point despite residents' safety and traffic concerns

The Lebanon Planning Commission approved variances for the Oaks Point preliminary plat after a public hearing that drew multiple residents and the Forest of Lebanon homeowners association to oppose a proposed local connection and added lots.

The commission voted to approve the variance for block length and the cul‑de‑sac variance while declining to require a connection into Cherrydale/Forest of Lebanon; the motion passed 6‑2.

The vote lets the developer move forward with the Oaks Point addition, a proposed conservation subdivision of about 55.19 acres. Planning staff had recommended that the developer provide a stub to the adjacent property line so future connections could be completed later, and noted that there was “no hardship” shown on the applicant’s property to justify failing to stub to the property line.

Planning staff described connectivity concerns for the area north of the railroad tracks and said the proposed plat would provide additional ways in and out for most of the affected developments but would not address one key connection into Forest of Lebanon. Staff said the developer’s responsibility was to stub to the property line so a future connection could be completed by whoever develops the adjoining parcel.

Charlie Dean, representing the project for Dean Design Group, told commissioners the Oaks Point addition has been proposed and approved previously and that the surrounding development pattern limits where connections can be made: “This has been, proposed. This is the third time this has been proposed, and, it was approved the previous 2 times.”

Forest of Lebanon’s property manager, Rita Alastassen, said the homeowners association controls a parcel between the subdivisions and cannot afford the work needed to make a bridge or road connection. She told the commission the association “cannot afford to develop those areas” and that “the association is saying, no, we do not want a road going through Cherrydale.”

Several residents said the proposal would increase traffic on neighborhood streets, reduce safety for children and affect property values. Eric Wilcox Sr., a resident of Acacia Grove Lane, warned, “We're looking at over another 300 cars coming through that only have 2 accesses and will force the traffic through the forest in Lebanon.” Jessie Hall, who said children play in the neighborhood, appealed to commissioners: “please, please, please just not become Mount Juliet 2 and just take a deep breath.” Elizabeth Kinder, a nearby homeowner, said of the proposed rear lots: “I will have 5 homes in my backyard. Not 1, not 2, but 5.”

Commissioners discussed whether the plats and variances addressed a true hardship on the developer’s property. The developer argued the existing lot and HOA ownership pattern created the practical constraint; planning staff and other commissioners said the applicant had not demonstrated a valid hardship to avoid stubbing to the property line.

After debate, a motion approving the two variances, and specifically approving the plat without the Cherrydale connection requirement, passed by a 6‑2 vote. The commission recorded the outcome and closed the item.

Next steps for the project will follow standard permitting and platting procedures; staff will process the approvals and remaining technical permits as required by city regulations.