The Greeneville Municipal Planning Commission denied a request to rezone a property located on 824 East McKee Street, near the Laughlin Health Care Center.
The 54 acre property was going to be rezoned as R-4 (High Density) Residential in order to create additional housing but professional developments/or medical offices were going to be added as well. According to the developers, the medical offices would help alleviate any financial stress that comes with the development but would also make the investment more profitable. Due to many properties already zoned improperly in the past and because of concerns from residents and commissioners, the request was denied.
The potential developers were brothers Jordan and Seth Dugger who felt this would be a good addition to the community and would contribute to the growth in Greeneville. The other option would be to rezone the property as (R-2) which still allows multi-family housing but does not allow professional developments.
The property is not only near a flood zone due to being next to a creek but its’s also in a residential area, R-1 (Low Density). Some are concerned if rezoned to a higher density that it would be a negative affect on the neighborhood and would back up traffic in that area. Only parts of the land would be able to be developed as there’s a power line going straight across the property and structures are not allowed to be built under a power line but also because of the flood zone.
Planning Director Randy Davenport says this property could possibly be sitting for an additional 10, 20, or more years as developers have tried to utilize the property in the past but could not because of how it’s zoned. It’s one of the last largest pieces of property in the town of Greeneville. Commissioners agree that there is a shortage in housing but feel that wasn’t the ideal spot. The Dugger’s have the option to appeal the denial before the Greeneville City Council.
