Planning commission recommends denial of rezoning for 138 Minga Drive after residents cite safety, infrastructure concerns

On Oct. 21, 2025, the Johnson City Regional Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial to Washington County of a developer's request to rezone 18.17 acres at 138 Minga Drive from its current split low-density/agriculture designation to PRD-2 (Planned Residential District). The recommendation to deny was made during the commission's public hearing and carried on a recorded roll call vote.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment and staff presentations focused on traffic safety, emergency access and the absence of a binding concept plan for the county rezoning. Riley Pudney, planning staff, told commissioners the property is roughly 18.17 acres, split-zoned and partly inside the city limits (about 0.5 acre at the entrance). Pudney said PRD-2 density is 6.5 units per acre, which would allow up to 118 units on the parcel; she reiterated that Washington County does not require a concept plan at rezoning and that, if rezoned, a driveway permit and traffic study would be required at the time of development.

Residents told the commission they feared a substantial increase in crash risk on Minga Drive and…