The Greene County Regional Planning Commission will address a rezoning request from Vulcan Materials next week that has stirred a lot of controversary of residents, specifically those in the Greystone Road, Tabor Lane, Tabor Road and Shelton Mission Road areas.
A large group of concerned citizens gathered at the old Glenwood School last night to discuss the matter further prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
The agenda for the 1:00 pm meeting of the Planning Commission Tuesday, November 18, was sent to Radio Greeneville News last night. The meeting, which typically would be held in a conference room, will instead be held in the General Nathanael Greene Assembly Hall at the Greene County Administration Center. That is the room where the County Commission holds its monthly meetings. The larger area with ample seating is being used in anticipation of a larger than usual crowd of interested onlookers.
The agenda item related to the rezoning request reads as follows:
4. Review and consider recommending a rezoning requests by Vulcan Lands Inc. for 15 parcels located adjacent in Greyston Road, Tabor Lane, Tabor Road and Shelton Mission Road, from A-1, General Agriculture District, to M-1 Industrial District.
Residents have expressed concerns that rezoning local farmland to an industrial zone will negatively impact the area, both from an environmental and historical perspective.
Vulcan wants to double the size of its sand and gravel excavation site by rezoning nearly 700 acres from agriculture to industrial.
Muriel Edens, who lives on Shelton Mission Road, reached out to Radio Greeneville News with concerns about the plans this week. Her note is attached below:
“As a concerned citizen and neighbor on Shelton Mission Road I am writing to let you know of my concerns about the Vulcan rezoning measures. Rezoning local farmland to an industrial zone will negatively impact myself and my neighborhood. I believe it will negatively affect Greene County and my hometown of Greeneville, TN.
There is historical value to Peavine Road and its occupants. My Grandfather Marion C. Edens relocated, rebuilt and restored at least 7 log cabins in the Shelton Mission community. Several of these cabins and properties immediately abut Vulcan owned land. Digging and quarrying this land will ruin the historical importance of these properties as well as negatively impacting the creeks and groundwaters of the area.
Vulcan also owns land adjacent to Margarette Falls trail in the Cherokee National Forest. Margarette Falls is one of Greene Counties most visited natural landspots. Quarrying in this area could negatively impact all of our Greeneville neighbors as well as local tourism.
As a homeowner on Shelton Mission Road I am concerned with large truck traffic on small mountain roads. My family and friends routinely walk this quiet, narrow woodland back road and I am concerned about the impact of industrial traffic on neighborhood safety.
Thank you for listening.”
Muriel Edens
1822 Shelton Mission Road
