Planning commission approves 460‑lot Metacrest preliminary plat subject to traffic study
Loading...
Summary
Bradley County Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat for the 460‑lot Metacrest Subdivision after members pushed for a traffic study and staff noted the plat will take effect under state timing rules if not acted on within 60 days. Vote was 8–1.
The Bradley County Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat for the 460‑lot Metacrest Subdivision, but did so only after commissioners pressed for a traffic study to assess impacts on nearby intersections and schools.
Chair opened discussion on the preliminary plat, which would create lots off Benton Pike and Hancock Road and is designed for cluster development with a centralized on‑site sewer system. Bentley, speaking for staff, said the changes requested by staff were minor and that the layout otherwise met subdivision requirements. "The preliminary plat that's presented tonight, it will go effective in 60 days if y'all don't take action on it," Bentley said, citing the applicable timing under state code.
A presenter with experience on traffic studies told the commission that a study typically takes about 90 days and that a common threshold for requiring a study is in the range of 200 lots. "A 2‑lane road handles that, but capacity is usually constricted at intersections," the presenter said, urging the commission to consider counts at the nearby 4‑way stop where several schools are located.
Several commissioners voiced concern about emergency access, school bus routing and the scale of additional vehicle trips. One commissioner urged staff to scope a traffic study and to share counts and analysis with the county road department so long‑term planning could proceed.
After debate about whether to delay formal action while a study was completed, the commission approved the preliminary plat with the condition that a traffic study be provided or scoped. The motion passed by roll call, with the chair announcing an 8–1 vote in favor.
Next steps: staff and the presenter said they would work together to draft the traffic‑study scope for the commission and road department review, and the developer may proceed with preparatory work while the study is underway. The commission noted that, under state timing rules cited by staff, the preliminary plat would take effect automatically in 60 days if the commission took no action.
The commission did not take final action on the final plat tonight; the approved preliminary allows the developer to proceed toward submission of the final plat once conditions are satisfied.
