Kingsport aldermen approve rezoning for parcel on East Stone Drive

Kingsport’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously Dec. 2 to rezone a portion of Parcel 112.20 along East Stone Drive from A-1 agricultural to B-3 highway-oriented business.

Jessica McMurray, who presented the request, said the 2030 future land-use plan designates the site for retail and commercial uses and that the B-3 zone permits retail, service, office, institutional and other commercial uses. "Rezoning to B-3 is suitable given the adjoining and nearby commercial development and the site's consistency with the 2030 future land use plan," McMurray said during the public hearing presentation.

No members of the public offered testimony during the council’s public hearing. During council discussion, a planning commission member noted previous concerns raised at the commission about traffic on nearby Bowers Road and the potential for heavy-equipment traffic. The planning commission member said the property owner agreed to limit heavy-truck access to Stone Drive, which the commission considered sufficient to address safety concerns. That discussion was presented to the council before the final vote.

Alderman George moved to approve the ordinance; Alderman Phillips seconded. The ordinance passed on the read-and-vote motion, 5-0.

What happens next: The attorney read the ordinance and the mayor was authorized to publish it as required; the item will take effect according to the ordinance’s stated effective date. Funding or development specifics for any proposed commercial use were not specified at the meeting.