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Council moves to schedule rezoning path for BWXT; staff favors IND-3 for uranium enrichment phase
Summary
Staff recommended rezoning Horizon Center lots to IND-3 to accommodate BWXT's proposed phase 3 (an approximately 1,000,000-square-foot uranium enrichment facility); council discussed alternatives, acknowledged previous votes, and directed staff to schedule first reading (Aug. 11) and a special meeting for second reading/public hearing (Aug. 19).
Oak Ridge planning staff told the council that BWXT's proposed development at Horizon Center includes two centrifuge-manufacturing phases (permitted in IND-2) and a phase 3 use—classified under NAICS 325180 (which includes uranium enrichment)—that staff say is more appropriate for an IND-3 (heavy industrial) district.
Staff explained three primary alternatives: (1) amend IND-2 to allow enrichment by right or by special exception (BZA review), (2) rezone the property to IND-3 (staff's recommendation), or (3) take no action (which would allow phases 1—2 but not phase 3). Staff noted IND-3 is intended for manufacturing with greater impacts and that TrisoX is already zoned IND-3.
Councilors asked procedural questions: a text amendment would need a Planning Commission recommendation; because the rezoning had previously been considered, staff said rezoning could come before council without a repeated Planning Commission hearing. Council discussed a prior second-reading failure and noted charter and Robert's Rules constraints on reconsideration. Council directed staff to put first reading on the Aug. 11 regular meeting agenda and to prepare a public-hearing legal notice for a special meeting on Aug. 19 to conduct second reading and the hearing.
Staff emphasized that clarity is needed about proximity of IND-2 parcels to residential areas and that the Horizon Center's covenants and Article 12 noise/impact standards would still apply. No final rezoning decision was made at the work session; the council set a near-term schedule for formal readings and public notice.
