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Oak Ridge staff present draft nuclear-industrial overlay to guide where nuclear uses may locate
Summary
City planning staff presented a draft overlay zoning district for nuclear-related industrial uses intended to apply as an overlay on IND2 properties, prohibit long-term on-site nuclear waste storage, require hazard and security plans and use NAICS codes to define applicable uses; planning commission review is the next step.
City planning staff reviewed a draft "nuclear industrial overlay" zoning amendment intended to identify IND2 locations where nuclear-related uses would be permitted and to add special permit requirements for new projects.
Staff said the overlay would not preempt federal regulation but would restrict long-term on-site storage of nuclear waste, require detailed site plans, hazard assessments, security plans, and potentially require financial assurances. The draft uses NAICS codes to define nuclear-related uses and excludes small medical uses that use limited nuclear material.
Council members asked whether other non-nuclear businesses would still be permitted (staff: yes) and whether existing IND3 properties would be covered (staff: overlay intended for IND2 but council could consider rezoning IND3 properties back to IND2 with the overlay later). The overlay was described as a way to allow nuclear users in IND2 while avoiding broader IND3 allowances that could permit uses the council might not support.
Next steps: staff said the draft will be reviewed with the planning commission and returned to council with a proposed ordinance and mapped application areas, at which point the council would consider formal adoption.
