Cheatham County adds lighting and electromagnetic-interference performance standards, approves single rezoning at Sams Creek Road

The Cheatham County Legislative Body on June 24 voted to rezone a 1.23-acre portion of Map 77, Parcel 53 (1918 Sams Creek Road) from Agriculture to R1 and to add a new zoning performance standard that limits off-site glare and addresses electromagnetic interference.

Chairman Tim Williamson opened a public hearing on two advertised zoning items: the rezoning request for the parcel (a portion of which lies in a Special Flood Hazard Area) and an amendment to the county zoning code to add Section 4.140, "Performance Standards Regulating Glare and Electromagnetic Interference." No members of the public spoke during the hearing.

What was adopted: Section 4.140 establishes a definition for foot-candle and a numerical limit for glare — direct and indirect light shall not cause illumination in excess of 0.5 foot candles when measured at a residential district boundary or at the street right-of-way line. The section requires site lighting to be shielded so that substantially all direct light falls within the property line and prohibits lighting that could be confused with traffic-control devices or that interferes with safe operation of motor vehicles. The commission also amended site-plan requirements to add detailed lighting plans consistent with Section 4.140.

Vote and procedural record

- The zone change for Dorene Bruce (1918 Sams Creek Rd.) was approved by roll call vote 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Resolution 5). The minutes note the parcel’s partial inclusion in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

- The Zoning Resolution amendment (Section 4.140) was approved by roll call vote 11 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent (Resolution 6). The amendment adds lighting-plan detail to the site-plan checklist in section 9.030.

Implications and next steps

Building Department staff are expected to implement the new site-plan lighting checklist and enforce the 0.5 foot-candle limit at the perimeter of residential districts when reviewing new development proposals. The minutes do not record additional technical guidance or calibration procedures for foot-candle measurement; enforcement will follow the Building Department's standard plan-review and inspection protocols.

Reporting note: this article summarizes the ordinance language and vote tallies recorded in the county minutes; the meeting record does not include verbatim testimony or technical exhibits relating to light-measurement procedure.