Cheatham County commissioners approve rezoning to allow Dalton property to be subdivided

Cheatham County commissioners voted to approve a request to rezone a 4.2-acre property in Pegram from E-1 to R-1, allowing the owners to subdivide the lot into two parcels for single-family homes.

The decision followed a public hearing in which neighbors and stakeholders split sharply. James Thickden, a Sears Road resident, told the commission the county’s zoning rules require three acres per house and said "This property is too small for 2 houses," warning that allowing smaller lots would encourage piecemeal subdivision and worsen traffic on narrow sections of Sears Road.

Supporters argued the change was modest and family-centered. Matthew Shelf said the proposal represents "homegrown Cheatham County family" growth that would let children and grandchildren remain nearby. Tony Rich, who lives near the property, said the Dalton family had built quality homes in the area and urged the commission to weigh human factors alongside code. Kevin Eeks, a civil engineer and neighbor, told the commission the practical differences between E‑1 and R‑1 outside the three‑acre minimum are limited and that nearby nonconforming lots already create similar patterns.

A letter from Pilgrim Mayor Charles Morehead was read into the record in support, calling the rezoning "thoughtful, family centered growth" and urging approval. Opponents, including an unidentified speaker who said the zoning commission had denied the request on May 1, urged commissioners to preserve the rural character of Sears Road and to avoid changing the county's three‑acre standard parcel by parcel. Caesar Sereguana warned that incremental rezonings would erode the county’s stated preference for larger lots unless the county-wide policy were formally changed.

Builder Steve, who said he had rehabilitated homes on the road, urged approval and described past blight at the site, saying replacing a former trailer and illegal camper with two new homes would be an improvement. Several speakers raised traffic and safety concerns; others said the two proposed houses (each described as roughly 2,000 square feet) would increase property values and were unlikely to cause overdevelopment.

After discussion, Commissioner Lovell moved to approve the rezoning and Mr. Powers seconded. The clerk called the roll and the chair announced the motion carried; the transcript records that during roll call "3 no, 1 absent" were noted and the motion was declared carried. The commission then moved on to routine budget, surplus and contract items.

The rezoning approval allows the property owners, identified in the public record as Lee and Christian Dalton, to pursue subdivision and separate building permits under the R‑1 designation. Officials did not announce a timeline for final plats or building permits during the meeting.