Planning Commission recommends R-2 rezoning for 700 Fransel Road development amid traffic, truck-route concerns

The Loudon County Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning a 17.4-acre property at 700 Fransel Road from A-1 (Agriculture/Forestry) to R-2 to allow a 26-lot residential development, the commission heard during its meeting.

Sean Rodriguez, with Turner Homes, told the commission the company purchased the parcel (Lehi Ranch LLC) and proposes a single-family neighborhood of 26 lots clustered on about 17.4 acres. Rodriguez said the concept keeps open space along the highway and that water and sewer service are available at the site.

The item drew extended public comment and detailed staff discussion because the parcel sits adjacent to State Route 321 and residents worried construction and truck traffic would use narrow local roads. Jeff Franklin, who identified himself as a resident of Prinsville Road, and Sherry Franklin, a nearby resident, raised safety concerns about Friendsville (Prinsville) Road, describing it as a 16-foot, curving road with driveways, children and horse riders and asking how heavy construction traffic would be kept off that road.

Rodriguez and his engineer, Chris Collier, said the developer intends to use 321 for primary access. They also said they would improve the segment of Friendsville/Princeville Road from the highway to the subdivision entrance to meet county standards. The developer and staff noted that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will not permit a new access point “that close to that interchange,” so the principal entrance likely must meet TDOT spacing rules. A county staff member said road improvements to county standards (20 feet white-line to white-line) would be required as part of subdivision approval.

Commission discussion touched on the new R-2 district’s cluster option. Planning staff explained that the cluster option does not increase the total number of houses but allows smaller minimum lots (down to roughly 15,000 square feet) by concentrating lots and preserving open space; the cluster option also requires a special exception and a later preliminary plat showing final layout, setbacks and road improvements.

Several commissioners and members of the public asked how approving an R-2 rezoning might affect neighboring properties and whether it would create pressure for similar rezones nearby. Staff noted the R-2 is a recently adopted district and does not amount to automatic spot zoning, but countywide implications would be decided at the County Commission level.

The commission voted to recommend rezoning the 17.4-acre parcel to R-2 and to forward the recommendation to the County Commission; the developer will return for a special-exception review for the cluster option and for preliminary plat review showing roadway improvements and construction sequencing.

Because final subdivision and road-work approvals are required, the County Commission’s review and TDOT approvals remain outstanding steps before any construction begins.

Votes at the Planning Commission were recorded by voice; the planning record shows the motion carried with all voting members present indicating “aye.”