Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission issues negative recommendation for Wintree Pines land‑use change after density and traffic debate
Summary
On Dec. 19 the Mount Juliet Planning Commission voted to forward a negative recommendation to the Board of Commissioners on a land‑use amendment that would have converted roughly 12.24 acres in Wintree Pines from neighborhood commercial to multifamily to add about 80 townhomes, citing concerns about density, connectivity and neighborhood impacts.
The Mount Juliet Municipal and Regional Planning Commission voted Dec. 19 to send a negative recommendation to the Board of Commissioners on a proposed land‑use amendment that would have changed approximately 12.24 acres at 764 Nonnerville Road from neighborhood commercial to multifamily to allow roughly 80 townhome units.
The measure mattered because the land‑use change would have been a prerequisite for a related major PUD amendment and rezone. Staff told the commission the requested change does not conform with the city's land use plan and therefore staff did not recommend the amendment. The developer's agent said the change would support an additional phase of Wintree Pines and argued it would produce fewer vehicle trips than the commercial alternative.
Developer representative Lainie, speaking for the applicant, told the commission the multifamily proposal would add about 80 townhomes and "it's actually a reduction in net traffic" compared with a commercial build‑out, estimating roughly 2,700 fewer trips per day and about 230–260 fewer peak‑hour trips. The developer also said the proposal would be served as part of the larger PUD and that engineering work (Nautilus Road improvements, regional pump station) was largely in place.
Commissioners pressed several concerns: that the townhome portion occupies about 12.24 acres (less than the city's usual 20‑acre minimum for standalone multifamily), that the parcel is being folded into an existing PUD to meet acreage requirements, and that the concentration of townhomes could reduce opportunities for retail or other community‑serving commercial uses at the site. Commissioners also raised safety and service concerns on Nonnerville Road given nearby two‑lane segments and asked whether on‑site amenities, lighting and playgrounds for children would be provided.
Nearby residents spoke during public comment. Barbara Mann told the commission she and other neighbors were worried about access and the effect of additional traffic on their private driveways and on water and sewer capacity. Mary Bradley described existing congestion at the nearby driveway and expressed concern about how additional units would change access and safety.
After discussion the commission moved for a negative recommendation on the land‑use amendment; the motion carried, and the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners. The related major PUD amendment and rezone (item 9b) was later deferred for additional review.
The commission's action on the land‑use amendment does not itself change zoning or approve development; it is a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, which will make the final decision on the amendment and any PUD or rezone requests.
