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Kingsport board approves rezoning of Williams Road property; traffic study required
Summary
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 6-0 to rezone a parcel on Williams Road from R-1B to R-3 to allow townhome construction, and city staff said a traffic impact study required for the project will determine required roadway improvements.
The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 6-0 Feb. 18 to rezone a parcel along Williams Road from R-1B Residential District to R-3 Low Density Apartment District to allow construction of a townhome development.
The rezoning drew discussion about traffic and stormwater. Jessica McMurray of the planning department told the board a traffic impact study will be required because of the number of proposed units and that the study “is very detailed, very in-depth,” including volume, vehicle type and peak-hour analyses that “will determine what improvements are made to intersections and to roadways.” McMurray said roadway and intersection improvements recommended by the study would be implemented by the developer.
Neighbors previously raised concerns about speeding, increased traffic and stormwater drainage during the planning commission meeting; McMurray said stormwater management will be reviewed during development review and that on-site controls will be required before construction plan approval. A public notice for the hearing was published Jan. 27.
Resident Lou Anne McMurray spoke during public comment, asking what a traffic impact study is and saying she was concerned about “all the additional traffic” a new development could bring to Granby Road.
The ordinance was read into the record and a motion to approve the rezoning was made by Alderman Phillips and seconded by Alderman George. The board approved the ordinance 6-0.
City staff and board members also noted that even without rezoning, a sufficient number of single-family units could trigger a traffic study; the study requirement therefore applies based on the number of proposed trips, not only on the zoning change.
Board members said they hoped the study would lead to safety improvements at nearby intersections and address speeding concerns, but several emphasized there are additional development steps after rezoning, including the traffic analysis and construction-plan review.
What happens next: If the developer proceeds, the required traffic impact study must be completed and any recommended improvements implemented before final construction approval.
