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RaceTrac off‑site signal amendment tabled after TDOT and adjacent‑owner concerns
Summary
RaceTrac asked the commission to modify a special‑use condition, switching a previously approved offset (split) signal to a single signal at Commercial Park Boulevard and Highway 72; TDOT and adjacent property owners raised easement, stacking and private‑driveway concerns, and the commission voted to table the amendment for further coordination.
RaceTrac sought to amend a previously approved off‑site traffic condition attached to its special‑use approval: after TDOT review the company asked the city to allow the single‑signal option at Commercial Park Boulevard and Highway 72 instead of the split (offset) signal that had been included as a condition. Applicant representatives said the single intersection would preserve existing legal access and that RaceTrac would finance construction of the light.
City staff and several adjacent property owners urged caution. Staff noted the earlier condition had been built around an offset signal to preserve circulation between adjoining lots. Wiebles (local business representatives) and other adjacent owners said existing private easements and shared‑driveway rights limit the extent to which a new signal can change traffic circulation without negotiated easements or on‑site improvements; staff asked for documentation of any required property‑rights changes. TDOT engineers told RaceTrac that the split configuration altered permitted access and would not be acceptable, and suggested that a future single signal at the interstate off‑ramp might become warranted at higher traffic volumes; RaceTrac offered to enter a cost‑share agreement for that signal if and when TDOT warrants it.
After discussion, commissioners concluded several open technical and property‑rights issues remained and voted to table the requested amendment so staff, TDOT, RaceTrac and adjacent property owners can coordinate designs, easements and on‑site circulation improvements.
What’s next: staff will coordinate a focused technical review with TDOT and ask the applicant to provide easement/title documentation and any proposed on‑site modifications; the item will return to RPC after these issues are resolved.
