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Neighbors oppose Dollar General rezoning on Rowe Gap Road; commission delays decision
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Summary
At a Sept. 19 public hearing, residents presented a 76-signature petition and urged commissioners to delay rezoning for a proposed Dollar General on Rowe Gap Road, citing traffic and drainage concerns; the county commission chose not to rezone the parcel at this time.
A contested rezoning request for a 2-acre parcel on Rowe Gap Road drew vocal opposition at the Franklin County commission's Sept. 19 public hearing and the board declined to approve the rezoning at that time.
Who spoke: Ben Berry of Berry Engineers, representing the applicant, said Dollar General conducts site studies and maintains its properties, and that state highway access would be subject to Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) permitting. Several nearby residents—led by Phillip Wilkerson—said they opposed the rezoning for a Dollar General and submitted a petition with 76 signatures they said represented neighborhood concerns about increased traffic, safety and drainage. Brenda Hall and Mark Samaniego also spoke during public comment and cited potential drainage impacts and traffic congestion.
What commissioners heard: Commissioners questioned whether TDOT had completed a traffic study and asked about maintenance and drainage. Ben Berry said a TDOT entrance permit would be required and that Dollar General sites typically do not generate heavy traffic at rural locations, but residents and several commissioners expressed unease about assuming low vehicle volumes on a two-lane state highway.
Outcome: After public comment and discussion the commission did not rezone the property at this meeting, effectively delaying action and leaving open the need for additional engineering or traffic analysis prior to any future vote.
Why it matters: The exchange highlights how rural rezoning for nationally franchised retailers can raise questions about state road operations, drainage in ridge-and-valley terrain, and community notification. Residents expressed frustration that neighbors felt they were not adequately consulted before the application reached the public hearing stage.
Representative claims and responses: - Claim (resident): “There would be excessive traffic in the rural country community … a traffic study should be made before building and the citizens adjoining the property should have been asked.” —Phillip Wilkerson. - Response (agent): “TDOT would have to approve an entrance that would be safe; Dollar General conducts site selection research and typically does not cause heavy traffic at similar sites.” —Ben Berry (Berry Engineers, LLC).
What’s next: Planning staff and the applicant may need to provide a traffic analysis and additional drainage mitigation plans. The commission will treat the matter again only after supplemental materials (and any required TDOT engineering approvals) are provided.
Sources and provenance: Public hearing statements and the planning staff memo (Case No. 14-22) presented to the commission on Sept. 19, 2022.