Fairview planning panel approves Pinewood Springs subdivision after adding conditions on traffic and road stub

The Fairview Planning Commission approved the Pinewood Springs residential development plan on April 14, 2026, after adding conditions that require the developer to incorporate any recommendations from the Tennessee Department of Transportation into construction plans and to remove a proposed stub street that would have extended to property in Hickman County.

The plan, submitted by A1 Homebuilders with engineering by SEC, covers 111.66 acres at 7965 Pinewood Road and proposes 116 single-family lots, five new public rights of way, five open-space areas totaling about 62 acres, three wastewater lots and phased construction. Staff said the plan preserves roughly 56% of the site as open space and recommended approval with conditions.

Commissioners raised concerns about the traffic impact study and potential road improvements on state-maintained Pinewood Road (State Route 46) and Highway 100. Staff said the city had reviewed the study but had asked T DOT for an independent review; commissioners added a condition that "all recommendations made by T dot will be included within the construction plans." The commission voted 7-0 to add that contingency.

The commission also debated a proposed stub street that would have connected the development westward to property across the county line in Hickman County. Staff said the city would ultimately own and maintain any public right-of-way, and connecting to a street outside the city's jurisdiction could create maintenance and equity concerns. Commissioners voted 7-0 to require removal of the stub street, leaving future cross-jurisdictional connections contingent on coordinated approvals.

Separately, the developer requested exceptions to disturb multiple areas with slopes greater than 20% on specific lots. Staff reported the total steep-slope area was about 15 acres with an average slope near 28.5%. Commissioners expressed concern about grading, safety and the extent of disturbance; the motion to grant those steep-slope exceptions failed by a 3-4 vote.

Developer representatives described technical design choices and the proposed wastewater system. Richard House of SEC said, "Yes, it will be a bioclear system," and added that most components will be buried, with landscaping and screening planned for visible elements.

After amending the resolution to add the T DOT contingency and stub-street removal, the planning commission approved the Pinewood Springs plan as amended (vote 7-0). The approval requires the developer to reflect the conditions in construction plans and comply with any subsequent state requirements.

Staff indicated that if the steep-slope exceptions had not been approved, the developer would be required in construction plans to avoid disturbing those areas. The developer will next address construction-plan detail and outstanding agency reviews, including the scheduled T DOT meeting cited by staff.