CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A rezoning case promising to bring around 100 new homes to the Dotsonville area was heard by the Montgomery County Commission Monday night, to the dismay of some nearby residents.
The zoning request is for a 52.11-acre tract on the west side of York Road near Dotsonville Road, just west of the Clarksville city limits. The application by William Griffy, Byard & Mabry Holdings as agent, seeks to have the land rezoned from AG to R-1, for the construction of approximately 100 single-family homes.
Developers Lawson Mabry and Chad Bryant spoke in support of the application Monday night.
Mabry said the subdivision would be built under the cluster ordinance, which requires a buffer between the new neighborhood and adjoining properties. The ordinance also requires that at least 15% of the acreage consist of common areas such as parks, playgrounds or a youth baseball field.
Mabry said they hope to preserve an old, porcelain-tiled silo on the property.
“Chad and I take pride in our communities. We try to go the extra mile in providing a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, well-designed and safe place to live,” Mabry said.
In response to a question from Commissioner Lisa Prichard, Mabry said properties in the neighborhood will likely be in the $300,000-$400,000 price range.
‘Keep York Road rural’
Several York Road residents attended the meeting to oppose the rezoning, many wearing stickers reading “Keep York Road Rural.”
The most common concern was for maintaining Dotsonville’s rural identity.
“A development right there is going to be an eyesore for me, and I certainly would not like to have it there,” Walter Miller, who lives next door to the property, told Clarksville Now. “I’m looking forward to a nice quiet retirement in a semi-rural area, and then all of the sudden 100 houses are going to spring up next me if this goes through.”
York Road resident Debra Sutton said she wanted to protect the natural state of the area.
“York Road is a beautiful place, and there are plenty of deer and wildlife that come into our yards, and it’s a great place to relax after a long day of work. These things are all very important to our residents,” she said.
Traffic and schools
Traffic was also a major concern.
“Simply walking on York Road is dangerous because of the numerous speeding cars,” said Julie Bisgaard, another York Road resident. “In the 27 years that we have lived on York Road, we’ve had at least 10 cars go into the ditch directly in front of our home.
“One hundred possible new homeowners coming in and out that entrance onto York Road would be significant. I don’t believe our winding road, with no shoulder and no street lights, can safely handle more traffic,” Bisgaard said.
Residents were also concerned about the impact on nearby schools.
Mabry told commissioners the schedule for the project would allow time for CMCSS to catch up with the growth.
“It will be two to four years before we do anything with this property. You’re probably looking at an 8- to 10-year buildout given the size of this tract,” he told commissioners.
He also told commissioners any development would include sidewalks and bike connections to a nearby tract owned by CMCSS and intended for a new elementary school.
County commissioners are expected to vote on the zoning case at their October meeting on Monday at 6 p.m.