Farragut board approves new rural large-lot zoning district on first reading amid public objections

The Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 4–0 on June 11 to approve Ordinance 26-10 on first reading, creating a new Rural Large Lot (RLE) zoning district intended to provide an estate-lot option with a two-acre minimum lot size.

Mark Shipley, who presented the ordinance, said the RLE district was drafted because the town’s previous R1SA district was no longer used and some recent estate subdivisions had required numerous variances under existing rules. "The intent of that is to try to preserve some of the rural character by having the larger lots," Shipley said, adding that the planning commission unanimously recommended approval at its May 21 meeting.

The ordinance includes a two-acre minimum and gives the planning commission authority to relax certain subdivision requirements—such as street width, curb and gutter, sidewalks, storm-water and open-space provisions—when an applicant’s layout demonstrates an effort to work with the land and preserve rural features. Shipley emphasized that the town engineer must review and support any relaxations.

Resident Greg Wberly urged the council to reconsider that approach, arguing the ordinance "effectively puts the planning commission or the town engineer into the decisionmaking role by eliminating . . . the need for separate variances." He said variance review should require a hardship test, public notice and demonstrate no public harm to safety or drainage. "This proposal specifically flies in the face of what the citizens of our town are asking for," Wberly said.

Board members asked follow-up questions about how the standard would work in practice, including whether relaxing standards would increase runoff. Shipley replied that larger lots typically reduce runoff and that applicants who do not demonstrate sensitive site design would not qualify for relaxed standards.

The motion to approve was made and seconded (record: Scott made it; Drew seconded) and passed by roll call: Alderman LCroy — yes; Vice Mayor Meyer — yes; Alderman Bernett — yes; Mayor Williams — yes. The ordinance advanced on first reading.

What happens next: the ordinance passed its first reading; the board may schedule further readings or public-notice steps required by local code before final adoption.