Planning commission approves Rogers Group expansion with conditions after debate over truck traffic and drainage

The Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission on Jan. 27 approved a three‑phase expansion by Rogers Group that adds a concrete batching plant, a quarry maintenance shop and an asphalt plant at an existing quarry site along Burnt Knob Road.

The commission voted to approve the master site plan and phased improvements — including right‑ and left‑turn lanes at the main entrance and stormwater management work — subject to staff comments and further work with the highway department and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). The motion carried on a roll call vote.

Commissioners and staff focused much of the discussion on traffic, drainage and the effects of additional heavy truck movements on county roads. County engineering staff said the project includes turn‑lane improvements at the site entrance and that a road connection/performance agreement and surety would be used to ensure construction to county standards. Staff also requested upsizing several culverts and additional downstream drainage evaluations tied to the new stormwater pond shown in the plan set.

Huddleston Steel, the applicant’s engineering team, said it completed a traffic study covering local intersections and Amaville Road. Engineer Bill Huddleston told the commission the study accounted for external trips and that Rogers Group had modeled impacts along the county network and nearby intersections.

Nick DeBartolo, speaking for Rogers Group, said some paving work will occur at night and that trucks serving asphalt and concrete operations will differ from the quarry’s current truck traffic. “Net‑net, the … increase in truck traffic would be, to your point, Lee, is Portland cement and asphalt cement going in,” DeBartolo said, and added that early years could produce fewer dump‑truck departures because some material will be handled on‑site and leave in ready‑mix trucks.

Commissioners pressed for clarity on which access points heavy equipment would use. County staff and the applicant said employee traffic and small trucks for the proposed quarry shop would use Leonard Hudson Road while heavy deliveries and truck movements would use the main quarry entrance off Burnt Knob Road. Staff said any required slope easements or right‑of‑way purchases for turn‑lane additions will be coordinated with the highway department.

Commissioners also asked about dust control and complaints at existing Rogers Group operations. County staff (Tanya) said the county had received no complaints about Rogers Group in the last seven to eight years. The applicant also described typical hours and phasing: many day operations begin early (employees arrive around 5:30–6:00 a.m.; last aggregate loads often around 3–4 p.m.), with night paving jobs sometimes running roughly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The applicant said it hoped to have the concrete plant operational by the coming fall and the asphalt plant commissioned around February, pending required road improvements and permits.

Commissioners acknowledged the regional need for paving materials but repeatedly raised concerns about long‑term wear on county roads and nighttime truck movements through nearby residential areas. Staff noted that the county can require road improvements, performance agreements and sureties but has limited authority to cap truck weight on public roads except where bridges or special restrictions apply.

The commission’s approval covers all three phases shown in the master plan and is subject to final technical adjustments in drainage, requirements from the fire marshal and coordination with the highway department and TDOT.

The commission recorded the approval by roll call; the motion carried.