Lebanon council advances rezoning first reading after public hearing and citizen criticism

The Lebanon City Council moved forward on the first reading of an ordinance to amend the city’s official zoning atlas for a 1.31‑acre parcel on Southeast Taylor Peter Road, changing the designation from rural residential/agriculture to light industrial (Order 257317).

Councilor Jerry Ashley moved to approve the first reading and Councilor Crowell seconded. After brief procedural remarks from staff, the council voted in favor; there were no recorded votes in opposition. Seven members were present for roll call earlier in the meeting.

The item opened with a public hearing notice: meeting staff said the planning commission had recommended approval 9–0 at its Oct. 28 meeting. During the citizen comment period, Terry Dodson of 106 Chapman Drive criticized previous rezoning decisions and warned that an upcoming request could affect roughly 21 adjacent acres, “about 54 houses and over 80 townhomes” under one future‑land‑use example. Dodson repeatedly singled out Councilor Crowell and members of the Bell family in describing the history and potential impacts on traffic and neighborhood character.

Mayor Lee Clark (the presiding official identified in the meeting) handled the procedural aspects and noted the public hearing was closed before the council took up new business and a first reading. The council did not debate the substance of Dodson’s allegations on the record before voting to advance the ordinance; Dodson’s numerical estimates and allegations were presented as public comment and were not verified during the meeting.

Next steps: the ordinance advanced on first reading; the council did not announce a timeline for subsequent readings or final adoption during the session.

Quote: “Without any discussion by any of you… the council voted to rezone only 1.3 acres” — Terry Dodson, public commenter.