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Council hears proposal for storage units on Old Abingdon Highway; neighbors cite traffic and homelessness concerns
Summary
At a Nov. 12 joint public hearing, the Bristol City Council and Planning Commission heard a request from Greg Johnson for Special Use Permit SU02-2024 to place relocatable storage units on Old Abingdon Highway. Staff and engineers flagged floodplain and stormwater requirements; neighbors raised traffic and homelessness concerns. No decision was made.
A joint public hearing on Nov. 12 brought the Bristol City Council and the Planning Commission together to consider Special Use Permit SU02-2024, a proposal by Greg Johnson to place shipping-container relocatable storage units, a maintenance building and perimeter fencing on tax parcel 263-A-16 on Old Abingdon Highway.
Urban Planner June McIlquham presented the application, saying the lot is currently vacant and that the Planning Commission has recommended the special use permit for approval. "The development would consist of a maintenance building, a fence around the property, and a series of shipping containers converted into relocatable storage units," McIlquham said during the staff report.
Fire Chief Mike Armstrong reported no concerns from the Fire Department; Fire Marshall Eric Blevins added that the nearby hydrant and projected BVU flows were acceptable for the location.
Public Works Director Jake Chandler listed several engineering and site constraints staff will require the applicant to address, including: "Approximately 25% of the property is in the 100-year mapped floodplain and the project shall comply with the Floodplain District minimum requirements"; a determination about water-quality treatment if more than an acre is disturbed; a required storm-drain analysis that could require upsizing or supplementing the city system; and access limited to Beaverview Drive at least 50 feet from intersections with gates prohibited from swinging into the right-of-way.
Neighbors at the hearing voiced objections. Resident Lola Brummitt said, "There is a problem with homelessness in the area," and expressed concern the development "will attract more problems." Billy Roberts of Belair Properties, whose property lies nearby, said he was not opposed in principle but warned the project could worsen traffic, particularly at the single-lane railroad underpass where the road curves toward Beaverview; he suggested widening the underpass if development is allowed. Tina Fleenor said she opposed the request because of increased traffic.
Economic Development Coordinator Mack Chapman told the council the proposal "should not have an impact on property values of contiguous property owners." McIlquham said staff will study the application for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and compatibility with surrounding uses before any permit is issued.
Mayor Becky Nave and Planning Commission Chairman Shew closed the public hearing. No formal action was taken at the Nov. 12 meeting; staff will return to council with the results of the consistency and compatibility review and any required plan or stormwater submissions before a permit decision.
