Update: The County Commission voted down the zoning change. Commissioner Nathan Burkholder said while he loved the plan of development, he also believes the county needs to allow time for Freedom Elementary School to develop and for the roads in the area to be adjusted. “Give it a year or two then let’s come back to this,” Burkholder said before voting against the proposal.
The final vote was 8-13 with Commissioners Burkholder, Walker, Rashida Leverett, Michael Lankford, LaTonia Brown, Jorge Padro, Joe Creek, Carmelle Chandler, Joshua Beal, Chris Rasnic, Ryan Gallant, Autumn Simmons and David Shelton all voting no.
Voting yes were Commissioners John Gannon, Jason Knight, Joe Smith, Rickey Ray, Woodruff, David Harper, Lisa Prichard and Billy Frye.
Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A proposal to rezone more than 30 acres south of Dover Road from agriculture to R-1 single-family residential went before the Montgomery County Commission Monday night. This would allow an extension of the existing Lisenbee Fields neighborhood.
The applicant, Linda Wortham, has asked to have the 32.7 acres rezoned as an extension of the R-1 to the north and to the east of the site. Regional Planning Director Jeffery Tyndall told the commission the land is primarily an agricultural field with rolling hills and is in the urban growth boundary and the Woodlawn Dotsonville Planning Area.
“The applicant’s statement is that this tract will be an additional single-family development extension of the existing Lisenbee Field neighborhood,” Tyndall said. “Homeowners will share the amenities, the fitness center, splash park, playground, dog park and baseball field with Lisenbee Fields. The current owners are selling to settle their mother’s estate.
“Historical estimates would be 64 additional units. Staff does recommend approval. The request is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. The R-1 single family residential district request aligns with the suburban neighborhood designation identified for this tract on the adopted Land Use Opinion Map.”
The Regional Planning Commission also recommended approval.
Concerns over school capacity, traffic
Under the department comments, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System noted that the three schools in the area have the following building capacities.
- Liberty Elementary: 105% building capacity with 5 portable classrooms in use.
- New Providence Middle: 84% building capacity with 1 portable in use.
- Northwest High: 89% building capacity with 0 portables in use.
Commissioner Jeremiah Walker asked if the schools will be able to handle the additional capacity, “or are we going to come back after all of this is built and say, ‘Hey we need some more money to build another school,” he said. “That really bothers me, especially when I already see an elementary school that’s over 100%.”
Tyndall said the school being designed near the airport, Freedom Elementary, will help alleviate school capacity in the surrounding area. “It’s going to help all the schools on the west side of the city,” Tyndall said.
Walker brought up concerns over traffic. “I don’t know how many of you have been out on that Dover Road corridor, in the morning times and afternoon times; that’s a nightmare out there. Now, we want to add more traffic. I’ve got a problem with that. What’s going to be done about the traffic?” he asked.
Tyndall said with it being only 64 additional homes, that’s not going to require improvements to Dover Road; it’s already a five-lane road with a shoulder. He said if additional improvements were needed, the Montgomery County Highway Department or TDOT would have included those with their comments.
Pedestrian access to school
Commissioner Nathan Burkholder asked about access to Dover Road.
Lawson Mabry, speaking on behalf of the developers, confirmed the plan is to add an entrance on Dover Road, as well as an entrance to the Lisenbee Fields subdivision.
Mabry also said they’ve always planned on acquiring the tract in question. He said another thing they’ll be able to accomplish is to connect Lisenbee to Liberty Elementary School on the other side. “My partner Chad has spoken to the school system, and we’ll be able to provide pedestrian access for the children of Lisenbee Fields to get to Liberty Elementary School. That’s important to us, and it’ll make a real difference in the neighborhood,” he said.
Any flooding concerns?
Commissioner Walker Woodruff asked if there were any flooding concerns with the development.
“This property is on the higher side of that area,” Tyndall said. “Sort of at the top of the hill, even though it is fairly flat out there. There are some other low-lying areas nearby, but that was not identified by any of the departments.”
Walker asked if the area will have proper drainage.
“I got similar questions while I was at the city last week presenting the zoning cases,” Tyndall said. “I can tell you that I’ve been here for seven years now, and I can fairly, honestly point to anything that’s been developed since I’ve been here and several years before. That’s not what’s flooding.
“What’s flooding is older stuff. Farmington aside, we know there’s been some other issues out there underground. But the current regulations, the roads are built 2 feet plus above base-flood elevation. Homes have to be built 2 feet above base-flood elevation. If they’re near it, HVAC units and ductwork have to be a foot above base-flood elevation. Obviously, as the code department’s going out inspecting these things, we’re building the homes high enough so that we aren’t flooding out new construction.”
What’s next
The County Commission is expected to vote on the proposal at the formal meeting on Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse.
| DOWNLOAD THE APP: Sign up for our free Clarksville Now app