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CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN. (WLAF)- Campbell County citizen Mark Lacefield contacted a first district county commissioner with his concerns about the proposed development. Below is the letter he sent.
Dear Mr. Commissioner,
Thank you for voting to require a traffic study before approving the proposed expansion. This is a critical step toward responsible development, especially for areas like Demory Road, which are already experiencing noticeable increases in traffic congestion.
If you’ve driven Demory Road recently-from the Demory Mart into town-you’ve likely observed how traffic has intensified over the years. What was once a quiet stretch where you might encounter one or two vehicles is now a regular bottleneck, with drivers frequently stuck behind three or four cars. This isn’t just anecdotal-it’s a common pattern in rural communities facing rapid residential growth. According to the Federal Highway Administration, rural roads often lack the infrastructure to handle increased traffic, leading to congestion, safety issues, and longer emergency response times.[1]
Adding 600 homes could mean 600+ additional vehicles, not including commercial traffic from construction and service providers. This volume would overwhelm Demory Road’s current capacity. Studies show that even modest residential developments can significantly impact traffic flow, especially near key intersections. The intersection at Demory Mart, a complex three-way junction, may require a traffic light to prevent accidents and manage the increased load. [2]
At a minimum, Demory Road should be widened to include passing lanes or pull-offs where feasible. Signage encouraging slower drivers to yield would improve safety and flow. These are standard traffic calming measures proven to reduce accidents and improve driver behavior in rural areas.[3]
The environmental impact on Norris Lake is equally concerning. Wake boats-likely to be common among new residents-are known to cause shoreline erosion, disturb aquatic habitats, and increase water turbidity. A University of Minnesota study found that wake boats can generate waves with up to 17 times the energy of traditional boats, resuspending sediment, and damaging lake ecosystems even in water up to 33 feet deep. Communities like Lake Waramaug have already banned wake boats due to these issues. [4] [5]
Boaters frequently report that areas around Deerfield and Shanghai are already overcrowded and choppy, making recreation less enjoyable and more hazardous. Adding 600+ vessels will exacerbate this, pushing congestion further toward Sequoia and Stardust.
From a fiscal perspective, it’s important to ask: Is this development in the city or county jurisdiction? And how much tax revenue will it actually generate? While new homes may temporarily boost revenue, they also increase demand on already underfunded services-schools, road maintenance, emergency response, and sanitation. Research consistently shows that residential development often leads to a net strain on local infrastructure unless carefully planned and supported by long-term investment.[6]
Moreover, the economic benefits are short-lived. Construction jobs disappear once the homes are built, while the long-term costs-traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and infrastructure strain-remain. This is a textbook case of short-term gain and long-term pain.
Finally, tourism is the lifeblood of our local economy, and overcrowding threatens that. Visitors come for the tranquility and natural beauty of Norris Lake. Overdevelopment risks turning a cherished destination into a congested, less desirable location, potentially reducing tourism revenue and property values.[7]
Please share this with your fellow commissioners.
The only real way to improve things relative to quality of life, schools, infrastructure and other things is through long-term job growth;
Sincerely,
Mark Lacefield
[1] https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2024-10/NHTSA_Rural%20CMTW_508.pdf
[2] https://www.bannockplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/State-of-the-Practice-Analysis.pdf
[3] https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/FHWA-HRT-08-067.pdf
[5] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wake-boat-activities-banned-lake-100017033.html?guccounter=1
[7] https://www.digonzini.com/blog/the-impact-of-tourism-on-local-real-estate-markets
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 10/23/2025-6AM)
Very well written. Well researched. My sincere compliments to the author Mr. Lacefield. Hopefully the County Commissioners will heed such comments and advice. I fully support Mr. Lacefield and the idea of further study into wakeboats as well.