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Council approves rezonings tied to proposed nuclear developments as companies await DOE transfers
Summary
Council heard updates from Verano/Orano and Oklo representatives about site transfers, licensing and early work and approved rezonings affecting parcels intended for development, while members debated whether to await a dedicated Nuclear Industry Overlay before finalizing zoning.
Council members on Tuesday heard company updates and approved zoning changes affecting properties linked to proposed nuclear‑industry projects while debating how to protect future land‑use standards.
Jean Luc Poladier, introduced by the mayor as the CEO of Verano, said he had just returned from France and reported the company is waiting for a Department of Energy decision on site transfer that has been delayed but could occur before Christmas; he said staff and the company are working with DOE EM and that he expects to submit a license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the first quarter of next year. "We're still waiting for the big decision from the Department of Energy. Hopefully it will be before Christmas," Poladier said.
Separately, council considered a staff‑backed rezoning request for about 146 acres that staff said are slated to transfer through the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation and, ultimately, could be used by Oklo. Planning staff told the council the current rezoning applies only to parcels not still owned by DOE; DOE‑owned parcels would be rezoned later after transfer. Council members asked whether the city should wait for the planned Nuclear Industry Overlay (NIO) rather than rezoning to IND3 now; staff said Oklo requested IND3 to proceed on parcels already available for due diligence and preliminary work. Faith Sanchez, speaking for Oklo, said Oklo has access and drilling agreements with DOE, TDEC and EPA and expects to begin tree clearing and other preparatory work in early 2026.
Council also approved several rezoning and land‑use amendments in the same meeting packet; staff recorded votes of seven ayes and no nays on multiple items. On the timing and scope of rezoning, Planning staff said the city will not force existing businesses to change and that DOE parcels remain subject to transfer timing. Council asked staff to explore whether rezoning designations could better anticipate transfers without creating legal or procedural risk.
The exchanges combined land‑use planning, federal transfer timing and private development schedules: staff cautioned that DOE transfers and a proposed NIO overlay affect how and when the city can impose land‑use constraints, while developers said early site access agreements and drilling under multilateral permissions justify moving forward with some rezoning now.
