Dickson County planning panel recommends against rezoning Old Drive-In site to R-3, 10-0

The Dickson County Planning Commission voted 10-0 on Oct. 9 to recommend that the Dickson County Commission not rezone a split-zoned property on Highway 70 East — the former Old Drive-In Theater site — from A-1 agricultural and a small portion of C-2 commercial to R-3 high-density residential.

Supporters of the rezoning, including developer representatives, described a concept plan for townhouses and said preliminary studies show the project can meet stormwater and traffic requirements. Opponents at the meeting and several commissioners said the site’s road conditions, nearby park and existing infrastructure make R-3 density inappropriate for that location.

Why it matters: Approval of R-3 zoning would allow higher-density residential development by right under county zoning and could substantially increase traffic and demand on county infrastructure. The planning commission’s unfavorable recommendation sends the request to the county commission with the panel’s opposition but does not itself change the zoning.

Trent Smith, the developer’s representative, told the commission…