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Despite heavy resident opposition, commission approves Hawthorne Valley Phase 3 final plat 8–2
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Summary
After extensive public testimony citing safety and emergency-access concerns, the Planning Commission approved the Hawthorne Valley Phase 3 final plat (76 lots) on Aug. 16 by an 8–2 vote. Residents asked for a second entrance and construction entrance; developer said conditions and turn lanes required by TDOT were met.
The Wilson County Planning Commission approved the Hawthorne Valley Phase 3 final plat on Aug. 16 despite prolonged and emotional public opposition focused on safety, traffic and emergency access.
Staff told the commission the final plat meets subdivision requirements and noted that Phase 2 had received a court-ordered reversal of a prior denial; the developer said it had secured Tennessee Department of Transportation approval for required turn lanes on Central Pike and other technical clearances. Kyle Griffin, representing CSTG and the developer, said the project preserves open space, meets the R-1 cluster provisions and will provide the turn-lane improvements that had been a prior condition.
More than a dozen residents and the homeowners association outlined a litany of concerns: Hawthorne Valley currently has no sidewalks, narrow roads, steep grades and long school-bus ride times; residents argued that adding Phase 3 (76 lots) to the previously approved Phase 2 (80 lots) would greatly increase traffic, create queuing and block emergency access with only a single entrance. Multiple speakers said the community had previously persuaded the planning commission to deny a phase and that a court later overturned that decision.
In response, LGI’s counsel said the developer had met the planning commission’s prior conditions, had secured required approvals (TDOT, wastewater, road commission) and would enforce safety commitments — including limiting construction traffic speeds and staging equipment away from existing homes. Counsel also cautioned that, legally, the commission must apply the subdivision regulations to the final plat and that denying a plat that meets requirements could expose the county to legal liability.
Commissioner Jewell moved to approve the final plat based on staff recommendations; the motion received a second and passed by a recorded vote of 8 in favor and 2 opposed. The record preserves extensive resident objections and safety concerns; the commission’s approval allows the developer to proceed to final engineering, road/drainage work and lot recording subject to ordinary conditions and required permits.
