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Franklin County commissioners approve rezoning for Dollar General after narrow 8–7 vote
Summary
After a public hearing with neighbors citing traffic and safety concerns, the Franklin County Commission voted 8–7 to rezone about 2 acres on Rowe Gap Road to allow a Dollar General. TDOT had provided a conceptual access approval earlier in the review process.
The Franklin County Commission on Jan. 17 approved a rezoning that clears the way for a proposed Dollar General store on about 2.0 acres fronting State Route 16 (Rowe Gap Road).
Chandler Hunt, agent for property owner Jeff Lowe, presented the rezoning application for a parcel the county’s staff described as suitable for commercial restricted (C‑1) use. Public commenters, including nearby residents Phillip Wilkerson and Mary Santiago, urged commissioners to reject the rezoning, citing increased traffic and safety risks on the state highway and arguing there are already several Dollar General stores in Franklin County.
Planning and Zoning staff provided the package of materials compiled for the public hearing, which included a Berry Engineers site plan and a Nov. 30, 2022 letter from the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s regional traffic engineer indicating TDOT had reviewed and conceptually approved the driveway/access plan for the site. Commissioners discussed the safety issue and pointed to TDOT’s review as a factor in their deliberations.
The motion to approve the rezoning passed on a roll‑call vote, 8–7. Commissioners voting in favor were William Anderson Jr., Tyler Bauer, Johnny Hand, Bruce McMillan, Spike Hosch, Jared Shetters, David Eldridge Jr. and Grant Benere. Commissioners voting against were Carolyn Wiseman, Scottie Riddle, Dale Schultz, Charles Keller, Glenn Summers, Monica Baxter Jeffers and Lydia Curtis Johnson.
The rezoning changes the parcel’s zoning from R‑1 (single‑family residential) to C‑1 (commercial restricted). The applicant’s consultant had previously appeared before the Franklin County Regional Planning Commission, which recommended approval in August 2022.
Next steps will include local permitting and any necessary TDOT permitting oversight of driveway access. The county packet includes a TDOT letter noting that a permit remains required and that recorded deed/easement documentation must be provided to TDOT before a right‑of‑way permit is issued.
