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Washington County commissioners approve rezoning for BWXT expansion after heated public hearing
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request from BWXT to add 56 acres to its M-2 industrial district, passing Resolution 26-03-01 on a 10-5 roll call vote amid intense community concern over health, safety and environmental risks.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted 10-5 on March 10 to approve Resolution 26-03-01, rezoning about 56 acres owned by BWXT in Jonesborough to expand the county’s M-2 high‑impact industrial district.
The vote capped a lengthy public hearing that drew dozens of speakers and a petition the podium speakers said contains more than 10,000 names opposing the rezoning. Residents and local advocates warned commissioners the expansion would bring health and environmental risks, increased heavy truck traffic and permanent land‑use changes to neighborhoods and waterways.
"Approving the rezoning petition . . . would put the public health, safety, and welfare of me and my neighbors at significant risk," said Rebecca Keeler, who urged the commission to "put people and environment ahead of profit and deny BWXT's petition." Melanie Porterfield, a chemist who said she lives about five miles from the BWXT…
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