Commissioners defer commercial-service rezoning on Amaville Road after neighbors cite traffic and safety concerns
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Summary
Beacon Acquisitions’ request to rezone about 31.8 acres at 7477 Amaville Road to commercial service was deferred after multiple neighbors raised concerns about narrow shoulders, overturned trucks, noise, and potential truck traffic; commissioners asked the applicant to hold neighborhood meetings and review zoning options.
Rutherford County planners on March 9 deferred a rezoning request from Beacon Acquisitions LLC to change roughly 31.75 acres at 7477 Amaville Road from residential medium density to commercial service, citing community concerns about traffic safety, noise and loss of rural character.
Doug DeMasi summarized staff’s neutral recommendation and said the concept plan shows four smaller contractor-style buildings, parking and outdoor storage areas, a proposed crossing of Stewarts Creek that will require floodplain and stormwater compliance, and an eventual stub to connect to the South Haven subdivision. Staff also noted the site is within a suburban-character area identified in the county plan and that TDOT coordination would be needed for Amaville Road access.
Several neighbors spoke against the rezoning. Allison Terrell, who lives across the street, said she feared seeing a warehouse from her property and cited multiple overturned tractor-trailer incidents on Amaville Road that have blocked residents’ driveways. Shree Glazner and other residents described heavy weekend traffic at the Amaville convenience center, school-bus safety concerns in morning hours, dust and noise from existing landscape businesses and the likely increase in heavy vehicle activity.
Commissioners debated whether the location is appropriate for commercial services, noting Amaville Road has limited shoulders and few places for trucks to pull off. One commissioner moved to deny the rezoning outright, citing safety and scale concerns; after the applicant asked for more time to hold community outreach and consider alternative zoning, the motion was changed to a deferral to allow the applicant to meet with neighbors and refine plans.
Next steps: applicant indicated it will hold a neighborhood meeting and explore zoning options; staff will convey concerns about traffic and allowed uses in the commercial-service zone as the applicant prepares revisions.