Roane County Commission approves rezoning for 418 Delozier Lane over planning commission denial

The Roane County Commission voted 10-4 to rezone 418 Delozier Lane to C2 Highway Commercial after a public hearing in which the property owner said the change would correct a split zoning across the parcel.

Jeremiah Mendoza, speaking for Knockwood Creek, told the commission the lot is split with a commercial frontage on Highway 70 and an A2 zone to the rear and that the parcel is used as a mixed-use warehouse with a small apartment and parking. "We utilize it as a mixed use space," Mendoza said, explaining the request is intended to "normalize the zoning on our lot." The Planning Commission previously recommended denial by a 6-1 vote, citing the presence of single-family residences behind the property.

Supporters on the commission noted that the front of the property already fronts State Highway 70 and contains existing commercial uses. Chairman Shannon Hester read the resolution language to clarify the effect of votes and said a "Yes" vote would change the parcel to C2 Highway Commercial. Several commissioners questioned the Planning Commission's rationale given the lot’s commercial frontage and existing uses.

Commission debate focused on the parcel’s configuration and local context: commissioners and residents described nearby uses including retail sites and a renovated church now used for storage and warehouse purposes. Transcript remarks estimated the lot at roughly one-and-a-half acres split between zones; the applicant said the rear portion is currently used for parking and that there are no immediate plans to change operations beyond correcting the split zoning.

The motion to approve the rezoning carried 10-4. The county clerk said the item will be reflected in the commission records and the matter will move forward per the resolution language read at the meeting.