Washington County commissioners approve rezoning for BWXT expansion after heated public hearing

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 site, listed chemicals and transport risks she said would accompany the processing proposed for the site and called rezoning "permanent" for the land.

Opponents emphasized uncertainty around future operations and urged the commission to preserve existing protections. Aaron Knott, whose remarks focused on a 2023 zoning amendment, told commissioners the removal of a required site plot for rezoning had left proposals conceptual and nonbinding: "Because of this decision, everything that BWXT has submitted is completely concept. Nothing is binding, and nothing is committed," he said.

BWXT representatives and local business leaders urged approval, stressing jobs, investment and safety controls. John Hegman, plant manager at the Jonesborough facility, said BWXT accepts "responsibility for environmental compliance" and described the company as a long‑standing local employer. Jeff Masaras, a BWXT manager, said the company created an information web page and is investing in engineering controls and buffers, while Jason Faddis, BWXT’s environmental health and safety manager, outlined permitting, licensing and emergency response work he said would apply before operations proceed.

County staff and the county attorney advised commissioners on legal standards for rezoning. Planning staff told the board the application asked to expand an existing industrial district and that the Planning Commission had previously recommended denial after public testimony. The county attorney read the statutory factors commissioners may consider under Tennessee law, including health and safety, transportation and drainage.

The motion to authorize the rezoning was moved and seconded during deliberations. The clerk recorded the roll call; the chair announced the tally as "10 yes, 5 no," and the resolution passed.

The commission recessed for about 15 minutes after the vote and then continued with proclamations and other routine business.

Why it matters: The rezoning allows an expanded set of industrial uses on property adjacent to residential areas and waterways, and opponents warned it could have long‑term environmental and land‑use implications. Supporters said the expansion will bring hundreds of high‑paying jobs and significant capital investment and that regulatory permits and engineering controls will govern operations.

Next steps: Rezoning alone does not start new operations; any new construction or changes would require site plans, permits and compliance with state permitting (air, water, radiological licensing) the company and state agency representatives described.

The board also approved other items that evening, including a one‑year moratorium on new data centers (Resolution 26-03-02) and multiple budget and capital project resolutions.