Resident opposition rises as commission approves Cook Drive lot split request

At a public hearing before the Loudon County Regional Planning Commission, applicant Victor Martinez asked to rezone a roughly two‑acre parcel from A2 to A3 to create two one‑acre lots so each of his children could have an acre. "I am requesting a resone. I am a little bit past 2 acres. I have two children. I want each of them to have one acre each, please," Martinez said.

Resident Deborah Cook Hardy, who identified herself during public comment, urged denial. She said a mobile home on the parcel was "substandard" and expressed concern it would lower nearby property values. "I very I'm very strongly against it. It's just not good at all," she said.

Speakers debated whether the additional mobile home already placed on the property would have to be removed if the rezoning were denied. Commissioners noted that rezoning would create a legal lot that could allow the mobile home to remain, and that enforcement of private covenants and deed restrictions is separate from the county’s zoning decision.

A motion to approve the rezoning was made, seconded and approved on a voice vote. The transcript records the motion being passed; it does not provide a full roll‑call tally for that vote.

The commission’s decision allows the applicant to pursue the rezoned lot creation, subject to any follow‑up procedures such as surveys or permitting required for development and placement of dwellings.