Crafted Milestone’s variance request for ‘Elk Stone at Lake Norris’ on hold

Motion to grant the variance died for lack of a second

By SUSAN SHARP

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- A proposed development in the Shanghai community failed to get a green light again Monday night. At last night’s Campbell County Planning Commission meeting, eight members voted to not allow the proposed project to move forward without more information.

Crafted Milestone, LLC was making its second appearance in six months before the commission. The company is asking for a variance so it would have the “ability to explore a development inside the property.” A proposed site plan dubbed ‘Elk Stone at Lake Norris’ that included 600 plus homes was submitted to the commission in October 2025. Crafted Milestone, LLC wants a 40 foot right of way instead of the county’s 50 foot requirement.

Last October, the company asked for the same thing. At that time, it was agreed a road study would be conducted by both the LLC and the county. Last night, T. Phillip Carlyle, one of the Crafted Milestone owners, told the commission theirs was “75 percent” complete but had yet to factor in the “high season.” However, he did know “some suggested improvements” had already been mentioned.

Carlyle then asked the commission where its road study was.

Rusty Orick, planning commission chairman, said the commission’s study had yet to be started. The commission wants to wait until a determination was made on the variance before the county spent $15,000 on a road study, according to Orick.

At the beginning of the meeting, the agenda was amended to allow the community to comment before the commission took up its planned agenda.

Millie Boshears Henegar told the commission there were safety concerns about the road. On one occasion when she was driving her school bus on Shanghai Road, she wedged a truck and boat into a ditch. “There was just not enough room for both,” she said.

“I don’t know why the county would want to do it,” said Steve Hopkins, the “most direct next door neighbor” to ‘Elk Stone at Lake Norris.’ “You are not getting homes; you are getting lots.”

Citing the amenities of Deerfield Resort, Hopkins asked what Crafted Milestone thought they could do better than what Deerfield had already done.

Jordan Rockwell, a community planner who advises the planning commission, recommended the commission “hold off” on making a decision. There was not enough information about the project for him to make a recommendation, he said.

The proposed development as planned will have a “major impact on the county’s infrastructure,” he said.

Planning commission member Gary Byrd made a motion to grant the variance. The motion died for lack of a second to it.

Charlie Baird made a motion to “hold off” on granting the company’s request. Marie Ayers, Warren Kitts, JC Miller, Lonnie Welden, Eugene Justice, Greg Leach, Orick and Baird all voted no. Byrd was the only yes vote. Commission member Michael Caudill abstained. He was heard telling Ayers he could take her to look at the property when she asked where it was. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 4/7/2026-6AM)