Residents urge denial of Highway 31 W storage-unit rezoning; commission approves request

The Robertson County Commission approved a request to rezone 2.51 acres on Highway 31 W from RP-80 to C-1 despite extended public opposition focused on stormwater and erosion concerns.

Neighbors from Hidden Meadow Drive and the Quail Ridge subdivision told commissioners they have repeatedly experienced erosion and standing water that, they said, would worsen if the parcel were converted to commercial use with additional impermeable surfaces. Jim Malam, a long-time resident, said, "This is not about Eddie Smith. This is about the property," and described the parcel as sitting at the edge of a bowl that funnels runoff toward homeowners below.

Opponents submitted photographs and technical complaints. David Brown displayed photos he said show water nearly 2 feet deep on Cantrell Road; he told the commission, "If you blacktop that area, it's just gonna let more water flow." Elizabeth Brown noted prior denials of similar rezoning requests in 2021, 2023 and July 2024 and warned of negative effects on property values and light pollution from security lighting.

The applicant and supporters argued the parcel meets county standards and that civil engineering controls will prevent increased downstream flow. Charles Lott of Clover Engineering told the commission the watershed feeding behind 1500 Hidden Meadow Drive covers roughly 57 acres and that "his property is roughly just under 5% of this watershed," saying the site will be designed to meet or exceed county and state detention requirements. Eddie Smith, the applicant, told commissioners he had commissioned studies and said he has a waiting list for units — "I currently have 20 people on the list that would like to be able to use the proposed facility." He also noted prior community contributions and pledged scholarships if the project moves forward.

Business owners across Highway 31 W urged approval on economic grounds. Steven Ellis, a local realtor and president of the Robertson County Association of Realtors, said, "I speak in favor of mister Smith's rezoning, and I do that from a real estate perspective," citing growing demand around White House. Dylan Dorris, part owner of AAA Auto Glass, said a nearby storage facility would help local businesses expand.

Planning staff recorded that the planning commission recommended the project by a 5–2 vote. After final discussion and a roll call is read into the record, the chair declared the resolution passed (voice read as a majority in favor). The commission did not direct further conditions in the hearing beyond the standard site-plan and engineer review process; site-plan detention and retention details will be reviewed by county engineering staff before development.