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Commission approves Kevin Burke preliminary plat despite neighbor objections over nonbuildable lakeside tracts
Summary
The planning commission approved a preliminary plat for the Kevin Burke property on the east side of Saundersville Ferry Road that creates several nonbuildable lots adjacent to a man-made pond; the motion carried 6–3 after residents and commissioners raised concerns about access and ownership of the small, steep lakeside tracts.
The Wilson County Planning Commission voted 6–3 July 18 to approve a preliminary plat for the Kevin Burke property on the east side of Saundersville Ferry Road that includes several nonbuildable tracts along a man-made pond.
Planning staff told the commission the plat meets requirements but noted the property is unique: a farm predating the road created residual slivers of land east of the road that are nonbuildable. Staff said the developer reduced the original submission to ensure compliance with phasing and lot standards and that the nonbuildable tracts would remain part of the parent parcels; no structures will be permitted on those tracts under the plat restrictions.
Surveyor Dan Curry, the survey of record, said the land east of the road was created before the road and is not suitable for development because of steep topography and drainage. Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on whether the small tracts—some as narrow as roughly 50 by 60 feet—could effectively be used by lot owners, and whether flag lots and easements could create practical restrictions on neighbors’ access to the pond. Staff said the lots to the west of the road conform to planning and zoning requirements and that the developer agreed to ingress/egress and utility easements to serve rear lots.
Christopher (planning staff) said two written objections had been filed by residents—Jennifer Turnhune and Gary and Vicky Morgan of Overlook Drive—but county counsel advised against reading unsigned letters into the record because the writers were not present to be sworn. A resident who identified himself as owning property on Bridal Beach questioned whether the nonbuildable tracts would allow a single owner to claim private access to what neighbors consider community lake frontage.
Commissioners asked whether the residual tracts could be combined differently or conveyed to adjacent owners; staff said they can work with the applicant but that the plat as presented met requirements. The commission voted to approve the plat based on staff recommendations. The final recorded plat will include the nonbuildable restrictions and the noted easements.
