Wlaf1450TOP PHOTO: Left to right: J.C. Miller, Jordan Rockwell, Rusty Orick and Marie Ayers
By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Campbell County Planning Commission members met Monday evening and held a public hearing regarding several proposed subdivision regulation amendments.
These included a subdivision regulation amendment regarding minimum lot size for private sewer systems, as well as an amendment regarding planned urban developments (PUD).
The PUD lot size regulation amendment would allow smaller lots to be subdivided.
“Essentially it allows us to be more flexible with subdivisions. If developers set aside space for open space, it allows for smaller lot sizes, but the overall density is the same,” said county planner Jordan Rockwell. These open spaces can include outside recreational areas and parking areas. Rockwell said he recommended the planning commission adopt this amendment.
After asking for public input, of which there was none, the planning commission passed the amendment after brief discussion. The amendment regarding PUDs takes affect immediately.
“This is a very common regulation that most communities have. It’s not allowing a higher density, just a different type,” Rockwell said.
These green spaces would still have to be approved by the planning commission, according to Rockwell.
The other amendment discussed dealt with minimum lot size for private sewer systems. The amendment suggested by Rockwell for minimum lot size requirements for private sewer systems was 12,500 square feet. It would also require developers to have have room for a backup drip field to 100 percent support the system.
Rockwell said he doesn’t want sewer systems to fail and that he has concerns about minimum lot sizes going down to 7,500 for these private sewer systems and it falling back on the county.
“Having room for a backup drip field should give us some assurance. This is a compromise that will allow for some development,” Rockwell said.
The proposed system must also come with a State Operating Procedure.
During the public hearing portion, a developer asked for a change to the amendment. He also said they had gotten approval from TDEC on building on the property which is the site of an old landfill. The developer said he was planning on doing 52 lots in the subdivision at around 330 bedrooms on the sewer system.
“We don’t have the land to do a 100 percent reserve. That would essentially put us out of business. We’re here to bring business to the county. I’m pleading to ask to amend to 50 percent,” the developer asked.
Rockwell said he wasn’t comfortable with going to 50 percent until he talked to Doug Hodge, Mike Caudill and several others about what percentage of reserve they required. Planning commission members agreed they would like some outside input as well.
“We will hold this off for another month and I can talk to environmental experts and talk to others about it,” Rockwell said.
Planning Commission members asked to table the amendment so Rockwell could gather more information.
The amendment regarding private sewer systems and minimum lot size requirements was tabled until the January meeting.
Also discussed and approved were several minor lot combinations. Both were approved at the recommendation of the county planner.
Planning commission members approved a minor lot combination for Ted and Wanda Johnson on Pleasant Ridge Road.
Also approved was a minor lot subdivision for Thomas and Tracy Bentley on Fox Lake Lane. It consisted of five lots, but the newer buyer wants to split it off into two lots.
Also approved was a minor lot subdivision for Todd Nance on Angel Lane.
Another minor lot subdivision approved was for Lakeside Estates/John Trimbach at Waterfront Trails.
“It’s fairly simple and looks good to me,” Rockwell said.
Final minor lot subdivisions approved were for Marvin Stanford on Old Long Hollow Road and Kyle McDowell on Island Cove Road. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/07/2021-6AM)