Proposal to rezone 50-acre Hardin Valley site for up to 8 units per acre could yield nearly 400 homes, staff says

Miss Hillman presented the county rezoning request to change approximately 50 acres at 11326 Sam Lee Road from agricultural to planned residential with a density of up to 8 dwelling units per acre.

Hillman said the property abuts Hardin Valley Elementary and is roughly 700 feet from Steel Road, which has sidewalks that connect to area schools. Staff noted the site lies within a traditional neighborhood place type and that nearby properties show a mix of residential densities; however, the requested 8 du/acre would be higher than most nearby parcels, which generally cap at about 4.5 du/acre in the vicinity.

At maximum intensity the requested zoning could permit up to 398 dwelling units, Hillman said; that scale would trigger a level‑2 traffic impact analysis and could require roadway improvements and additional sidewalks. The PR zone allows cluster development responsive to environmental constraints; staff pointed to closed contours on the property that may indicate sinkholes and a potential spring shown on USGS maps as factors to be considered during review.

Commissioners asked about a possible school-access connection and whether sidewalks would provide pedestrian access to Steele Road and the schools. Hillman said a minor sidewalk gap exists and that school-access discussions could be part of future review and engineering coordination. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning as consistent with the traditional neighborhood place type and planned growth area, with conditions and detailed design to be addressed during development-plan review.