Hendersonville aldermen reject resolution to explore Stop 30 conference‑center concept after residents raise traffic, infrastructure concerns

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on July 22 voted 0–12 to defeat Resolution 2025‑21, a nonbinding measure that would have directed staff to explore the feasibility of a planned development consisting of a hotel and conference center at a site on Stop 30 Road.

The resolution, brought to the board as an exploratory step by Forward Sumner and several property owners, would have asked city staff to gather information on traffic, infrastructure, and public interest for a potential hotel and conference facility. Opponents told the board they feared the site’s limited road capacity, nearby residential zoning and flooding would be harmed by a large commercial project.

Residents from neighborhoods that use Stop 30 Road filled the meeting and spoke in opposition. Anne Schick of Lawson Point said traffic has risen sharply on the 1.2‑mile stretch between New Shackle Island Road and Drakes Creek Road, and cited data she said showed a 2024 annual average daily traffic figure of 7,134 vehicles for that segment. “It needs to be fixed,” Schick told the board, urging officials to improve the roadway before entertaining large projects.

Several speakers framed the issue as a safety and infrastructure problem rather than a matter of taste. Tony Johnson of West Bank Drive presented a petition he said had 502 verified signatures opposing the proposed concept and urged the board to require state guarantees for any infrastructure work or exit ramps before a development could open. “State guarantees that the infrastructure is in place before this thing opens — that’s nonnegotiable,” Johnson said.

Other speakers told the board the site floods frequently, is bordered by existing residential neighborhoods, and is not served by adequate ramps or collector roads from I‑386. “A convention center in the middle of a rural residential area is irresponsible,” Rebecca Goddard said. Several residents urged the city to consider alternative locations that connect directly to the interstate.

Board members raised procedural and substantive objections. Alderman Jay Robertson said he had both “procedural and substance concerns,” arguing the measure short‑circuited the role of the Planning Commission by signaling the board’s views before the commission had a chance to vet proposals. Robertson said the question of a major development “fails the test” on compatibility with surrounding uses, infrastructure availability and community support in this location, and added, “never buy a pig in a poke.”

Alderman Dixon and others said they were open to a conference‑style facility in Sumner County but not at this site. Several aldermen urged that any future proposal include clear traffic engineering, demonstrated funding for road improvements and a timeline for infrastructure work before the board would consider support.

City staff and proponents described the resolution as an early, information‑gathering step rather than a zoning request. Jay Ritterbeck of the planning department and representatives of Forward Sumner and the property owners said the concept came from a county‑level 3‑Star planning process and that the resolution was intended to gather public feedback and identify hurdles such as traffic, utilities and funding models. Lane Baker of Lincoln Property Company and traffic engineer Brendan Bowles (Kimley‑Horn) outlined a separate, industrial rezoning proposal for a different site earlier in the meeting; supporters of the Stop 30 concept said the conference idea was at concept stage and not an active development application.

After extended public comment and board discussion, the motion to adopt Resolution 2025‑21 — made by Alderman Goodwin and seconded by Alderman Ward — failed on a 0–12 recorded vote. City officials noted the defeat applies only to this resolution; developers or property owners may still submit formal rezoning or plan applications, which would be considered under the normal ordinance and Planning Commission processes. The board’s vote does not prohibit future proposals but signals concern among the majority of aldermen about siting a conference or hotel complex on Stop 30 Road without clear, binding infrastructure commitments and traffic solutions.

The board also received petitions and detailed resident comments asking that the city prioritize upgrades to Stop 30 Road, drainage and emergency response access before entertaining large commercial projects. Multiple aldermen said they expect any future formal application to include traffic studies showing measurable improvements to existing conditions, and to identify how state or developer funding would cover required collector ramps and road widening.