RE: Rezoning: Cedar Hill Vice Mayor: Don’t Just Hear; Listen To Our Concerns

RE: Rezoning: Cedar Hill Vice Mayor: Don’t Just Hear; Listen To Our Concerns

CEDAR HILL TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) –  Cedar Hill’s City Commissioner/ Vice Mayor John Edwards is once again expressing his concerns over the proposed rezoning of a section of agricultural farmland in Robertson County.

According to Edwards, the reasoning of the proposed site will push the home density too high for the community, see map below. In a letter to Smokey Barn News, Edwards addresses his concerns for the housing project.

“Over the last month, the small community of Cedar Hill has spoken clearly and loudly, asking the developers of a hundred+ acre property not simply to hear us but to listen to the concerns of the community. These concerns are shown by the community’s outpouring of opposition to the development and by the overwhelming number of signs around the area and down main roads to illustrate the fact that this is not the type of growth our community wants or needs.

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“Over the last several years we’ve seen incredible growth and development all across our county. I view growth as a positive to our county and I’m excited to see further responsible growth throughout our county. Cedar Hill is not immune from this growth and we are realistic about that fact. The issue is very simple and is not complicated. We are for responsible growth and the kind of growth that does not burden our community with a population boom, traffic delays, and stressing of infrastructure.

“169 homes has the potential to add over five hundred additional cars to our community and our city. This single development could lead to a more than 140% increase in the population compared to the current population in the city of Cedar Hill. Even more concerning is the fact that the recent traffic study depicts the entrances/exits on Sory Street, which is 1.5 lane street with speed bumps, and Buzzard Creek Road, which has an intersection that can be rather dangerous; especially with the fact there is curve approaching it and the sun often makes it extremely difficult to see at various times of the day. The traffic study determined that there was no need for turning lanes or traffic lights to help manage the flow of traffic and increase overall public safety along the road network and streets. All of this traffic would be flowing around into a light residential street and right next to a busy daycare that is right on the corner of 41 North and Buzzard Creek Road.

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“Several years ago our county conducted a study that would “provide a foundation for the future orderly growth and development of Robertson County”. That study was the 2040 Growth Plan. The county then took that very plan and adopted it to help chart the future for our county. I’ve heard from numerous folks that the 2040 Growth Plan is just a study that our county spent a large sum of money on and that it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. If you dig deeper and look at the Robertson County Planning and Zoning Ordinances, you find that the growth plan was interjected and wound around the very ordinances that dictate and govern the planning and zoning of our county.

“Specifically, in the ordinances, it states “The goal of this resolution is to ensure that all development within the County’s jurisdiction is consistent with, and conforms to the vision, goals, and objectives of the Robertson County 2040 Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan.” Arguing that the plan and the development principles stated within it are invalid is saying that the Planning and Zoning Ordinances are invalid. If you toss the 2040 Growth Plan, you toss our adopted county ordinances with it. A portion of the area near the development and parts of the development are listed as Sub-Urban, which is appropriate for R-20 & R-40 developments. The design principles are built around higher density/ intensity housing to be closer to your urban center and to then reduce the density and intensity as you transition to rural areas. The proposed development would be opposite and place high-density housing along the border of rural areas. Low-Density housing (R-40) is the appropriate transition between a small city and community like Cedar Hill to our rural areas. Simply put, R-40 is the right growth density and our community understands that and could support it, R-20 is not that and it will face staunch opposition from the community and those within our city, whom I was elected to represent.

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“Cedar Hill has been very realistic and has called on responsible growth and that’s R-40. Our community and I as a Commissioner and Vice Mayor for Cedar Hill will continue to ask that the developers listen to our community and bring forth a development that our community can support and that allows them to pursue their development ambitions. I also ask that everyone that is concerned with this development and its impact on our community and city to come and voice your concerns and show those who will decide the fate of the development as is that we’re overwhelmingly opposed to the current proposed development and rezoning request. It’ll be appearing before the Planning Commission on June 3rd, 2021 at 7pm at the County Office Building. If passed, it’ll move before the County Commission at their June 21, 2021 meeting at 7pm and will be conducted at the Judicial Complex on the 2nd floor of the Robertson County Office Building. In the meantime, reach out to your local Planning and Zoning officials and county commissioners and respectfully voice our concerns with them and ask them support our community’s concerns and deny the current rezoning request in hopes that a more reasonable and responsible development can be brought forward for consideration.”

Respectfully,

John Edwards
City Commissioner/ Vice Mayor
City of Cedar Hill

Original report,  published February 26, 2021: Cedar Hill Vice Mayor/Citizens Petition 103 Acre Buzzard Creek Housing Development

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