Cheatham commissioners deny rezoning for 4055 Sweethome Road after residents oppose plan

Cheatham County commissioners on Nov. 17 denied a request to rezone 4055 Sweethome Road from R1 to Commercial Mixed Use Planned Unit Development after a public hearing in which several nearby residents objected.

The item, advertised as a rezoning petition from John Claxton for Map 26, Parcel 13, drew sustained opposition from Maple Hills neighbors and other residents who said the change would be inappropriate in their area. Speakers at the public hearing included Aaron Rocker, Christopher Speich (president, Maple Hills Homeowners Association), Jeff Burden and several other residents who urged the commission to reject or further review the application. The transcript records that multiple speakers “spoke in opposition” but does not include verbatim quotes.

After the hearing the Building Department placed the matter before the body. Commissioner Randy Noe moved to deny the rezoning; Commissioner Eugene O. Evans Sr. seconded the motion. A representative for the applicant spoke out of order and asked for a deferral; County Attorney Michael Bligh advised the commission that it could proceed with the motion or amend it. Commissioner Walter Weakley called the question, and the motion to deny carried on a roll-call vote: 10 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain, 1 absent.

The property was identified in the public notice as not being within a Special Flood Hazard Area. The public hearing portion of the meeting closed at 6:47 P.M. The denial is recorded in the commission’s resolutions for Nov. 17, 2025; the applicant may refile or seek future action if they pursue a new application.