Commission approves rezoning for developer despite questions about road study

Roane County commissioners voted May 11 to rezone a parcel (Resolution 052601) from R-1 to R-2 after hearing from the property owner and the developer, who said the change would allow single-family lots and is "good for the county." The developer, identified in the meeting as Frank Leonard, told the commission he would work with the county planning department and include any needed traffic or road studies during the site-planning and engineering phases.

The county’s planning director, Corey Haggard, told commissioners that a traffic or road study is typically prepared later, when the developer files a subdivision/site plan and lays out lots; such studies are done by the developer and, where the project connects to a state route, would require TDOT driveway or access permitting. Haggard said TDOT has flagged plans to widen the nearby highway but has not committed funding.

During discussion, commissioners pressed for clarity on who would pay for road improvements if widening or turn lanes were required; the developer and planning staff said costs and any required widening would be determined by the later engineering study and by TDOT’s permitting process. Commissioners also asked about the type of housing planned; the developer said the plan envisions single-family homes on individual lots.

Commissioner Hooks moved approval and Commissioner Henderson seconded. The motion was adopted by voice vote.

The rezoning vote closes the land-use question necessary for the developer to proceed to the next steps of subdivision and site engineering; any conditions or required road improvements will be addressed during that later review and permitting process.