Owens Cross Roads planning commission backs annexation and rezoning for Ed Spears Road subdivision

Jason Denenny, chair of the Owens Cross Roads Planning Commission, called the June 8 meeting to order and led a unanimous vote to approve minutes from May 11, 2026.

Dan Nash of Concord Land Development presented a developer request to annex two parcels in Madison County and to rezone two additional parcels already inside Owens Cross Roads to Single Family Residential (RS2). Nash said the properties are owned by A. Mac Martinson, LLC and would be sold to Legacy Homes to develop a subdivision “like the Richmond subdivision off Hwy 431.” He said, “There are approximately 40 acres and the number of homes built would be between 100 and 150,” and that environmental studies are underway with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviewing the wetland study.

Commissioners and attendees raised questions about likely home prices, traffic impacts on Ed Spears Road, preservation of existing trees as a buffer, and spacing between houses for fire safety. Bruce Swanson, Fire Chief, told the commission he is opposed to cluster zoning but said he had no objection to the distances required under RS2; he recommended not allowing homes any closer than RS2 minimums because of public-safety risks from fire. An adjoining property owner, Robert Thompson, asked whether the commission ever requires a buffer such as the current tree line; Nash replied that leaving trees is not typical because storm drainage and utility placement may require that space and he could not commit to preserving the tree line at this early stage.

Commissioner Deborah Buskirk moved that the commission recommend annexation of the two Madison County parcels and RS2 zoning to the City Council; Elizabeth Craig seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with six in favor (Jason Denenny, Deborah Buskirk, Elizabeth Craig, Tony Craig, Yvonne Meier and Kenny Mitchem), one no vote (Antoinette Sisco Williamson) and two absences (Tim Gaines and Blake Burns). Denenny will present the recommendation to the City Council at its June 9 meeting; the commission’s minutes note that if council accepts the recommendation an ordinance will be posted for 21 days prior to passage.

Separately, Commissioner Kenny Mitchem moved and Elizabeth Craig seconded a recommendation to rezone two in-city parcels from Estate Residential to RS2. That motion passed with the same roll-call pattern: six yes, one no (Antoinette Sisco Williamson), and two absences. The commission did not adopt any binding conditions on tree preservation or traffic mitigation; those matters were described as subject to later review and conditions during council review or plan development.

The commission adjourned at 6:41 p.m. The minutes were filed by Lora Martin, Building & Planning Clerk.