AC Commission votes ‘No’ on zoning changes

November 29, 2023

The Anderson County Commission recently turned down rezoning requests for two areas in Clinton, citing public complaints.

The Planning Commission brought the two measures to the county commissioners, who voted them down on Monday, Nov. 20. The two parcels were 120 Old Tacora Hills Road and 700 Sulphur Springs Road.

County Commissioner Tim Isbel said the Planning Commission had unanimously approved both.

The Old Tacora Hills Road property would have been rezoned from Residential District to Suburban Residential District. During the meeting, Planning and Zoning Coordinator Danny Phillips said the difference was that there is no mention of multiple family residential in Residential, whereas there is in Suburban Residential. Larry Koontz stated at a public hearing before the meeting that he had torn down a mobile home and wanted to put in a duplex.

Isbel made the motion and Commissioner Michael Foster seconded to approve the rezoning. However, the motion failed.

“I’ve had seven calls against it, and I’ve heard no calls for it, so I strongly urge the commission to vote against this,” Commissioner Jerry White said.

Thomas Rubright, a neighbor, voiced opposition during the public hearing.

“I can’t help but think that would lower my property values substantially if we allow that to happen,” he said of allowing a duplex. He said he was also concerned about traffic.

Another neighbor, Ron Evans, said he wanted to see a plan for drainage.

“I can’t take any more water on my property,” he said.

The Sulphur Springs Road property would have been rezoned from Suburban Residential District to Rural Residential District.

Daniel Salajan, pastor of the Marantha Romanian Church of Knoxville, said he bought the land to bring his children there “and maybe make it useful for the area.” He talked about a “coffee shop-ish” development, which would serve Romanian-style pastries. He said he might also like to put in some storage units.

A neighbor, however, said during the public hearing that it would be impractical due to a sinkhole connected to a spring.

She also said a nearby railroad crossing caused wrecks.

“I generally go along with Planning Commission’s recommendations, but in this case, I couldn’t do it,” Commissioner Robert McKamey said regarding the Sulphur Springs Road rezoning request, adding he had gotten negative calls.

He made the motion to reject, and Commissioner Aaron Wells seconded.

The motion to reject passed, meaning the rezoning will not go forward.