Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission forwards rezoning for 37.6 acres on Old Poplar Ridge Road to city council after applicant presentation and one public objection
Summary
The commission voted to rezone about 37.64 acres on Old Poplar Ridge Road from Intermediate Business (IB) to RP‑1 Planned Residential Development and will forward the request to the Morristown City Council. The applicant described a private‑streets single‑family community; one nearby resident raised concerns about drainage and wildlife.
At the Sept. 9 meeting the Morristown Regional Planning Commission heard a rezoning request (REZN‑3224) for roughly 37.64 acres on the north side of West Andrew Johnson Highway and the east side of Old Poplar Ridge Road. Development Director Steve Neilson said the applicant, David Hayes (with Kirchhoff Acquisitions, LLC and property owners MDB Holdings and Commercial Bank), seeks to rezone three vacant parcels from Intermediate Business (IB) to RP‑1 Planned Residential Development. Neilson noted adjacency to Cherokee Health Systems and surrounding R‑1 subdivisions and that one parcel contains a 53‑foot wide TVA powerline easement.
Neilson told commissioners that, under section 14‑1402 of the Morristown Zoning Ordinance, RP‑1 developments must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and kept on file with the Planning Department; staff recommended forwarding the rezoning request to the Morristown City Council for final action.
Applicant David Hayes described a concept for a residential community of single‑family homes with private streets, a community center and private trash service, likening the concept to "The Villages" in Florida. In the record Hayes described "12,000–15,000 square feet" in relation to the single‑family homes; the transcript does not clarify whether that figure refers to individual lot sizes or to the size of structures.
Resident Tricia Biery of Woodcrest Drive spoke in opposition, citing concerns about stormwater drainage and potential impacts to wild animal habitat.
Commissioner Ventrus Norfolk moved to approve the rezoning and forward it to the City Council; Commissioner Jake Stokely seconded. The commission voted 7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain and the motion carried. The Planning Department will forward the request, per ordinance, for City Council consideration.
