Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Chattooga Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves rezoning on Chattooga Drive for assisted-living project after traffic concerns raised
Summary
Commissioners voted to rezone two Chattooga Drive parcels to allow a commercial use tied to an Avail senior living proposal. A POA board member urged a traffic study and better emergency access; the county and fire chief had submitted supporting letters about infrastructure.
The Loudon County Commission approved a rezoning Dec. 1 of two parcels on Chattooga Drive from R-1 suburban residential to C-2 general commercial to allow future development tied to an Avail senior living proposal. Commissioners emphasized the vote only changed zoning; final plats, sewer, roads and site plans will be reviewed by planning and the property owners association (POA).
Jim Jenkins introduced the rezoning and said the planning commission recommended approval. The chair noted the POA and the fire chief had cleared sewer and water and that an issue remains regarding an exit road/extension. "I believe Mike's gonna come up here in a little bit and talk about it," Jenkins said.
Mike Lackey, a property owners association board member, told the commission he was not opposed to the senior-living facility but urged caution about traffic and emergency access. Lackey said the community includes "almost 600 lots" and raised concern about additional demand from 60 to 80 planned new lots on Linden and Willow Oak. He said Chattooga Drive is the only ingress-and-egress route for that neighborhood and asked that a traffic study ensure appropriate egress and emergency response times. "I just wanna make sure we have proper access and egress," Lackey said.
A deputy fire official's letter, read into the record, stated support for the Avail senior living project while noting infrastructure improvements and an extension of Chattooga Drive would be advocated "to ensure access and safety." Chris (a representative identified during public comment) told the board that from an operational standpoint an assisted-living community tends to have lower traffic impacts than a 20–25 single-family alternative, estimating more staff trips but fewer vehicle movements overall.
A motion to approve the rezoning was made, seconded and passed by voice vote. Commissioners and staff stressed the rezoning does not approve site-level permits, and that sewer, road work and final plats remain subject to POA and planning review.
Next steps include planning review of final plats, sewer and road approvals; staff and the POA will coordinate on traffic and access requirements.
