Smyrna residents press council over tree buffer in Saddle Grove PRD amendment; council directs staff to negotiate

Residents of the Saddle Grove neighborhood urged the Smyrna Town Council on Tuesday to block or substantially alter a developer’s proposed planned residential development (PRD) amendment that would reduce the approved number of homes and replace an existing tree buffer with newly planted trees.

In public comments, Liana Levitt, a Saddle Grove resident, told the council the amendment for tax map 54, page 8, parcel 18 “did not give nearby members of the community … the chance to express their concerns,” and said the change would reduce a previously approved 15-foot tree buffer and harm residents’ privacy and quality of life. Tanya Hadley, another Saddle Grove resident, said the developer, Blue River/Catalyst Design Group, intends to remove the existing tree line and plant new landscaping in its place. Eric Chenoweth asked the council to require a native buffer to protect wildlife and cited federal environmental laws in urging stronger protections.

Kevin (planning staff) explained the project’s recent history: the original PRD was approved in January with 83 lots; the developer later…