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A request to rezone a 146-acre tract at Blue Creek Road and Highway 130 in the Center Grove community to accommodate a residential subdivision was denied in a split vote by the County Commission at its Sept. 18 meeting.

The request was made by Daniel Barbeau to rezone the property from an A, agricultural; R-2, general residential; and C, commercial district to R-1, single-family residential.

Commissioner David Eldridge reminded the commissioners that their voting should be based on how the county’s planning and zoning laws apply to the specific case, not on personal interests or differences.

County Mayor Chris Guess had called for a voice vote with some commissioners expressing opposition. He followed by calling for a roll-call vote where the rezoning request was defeated in a 9-7 vote.

Commissioners voting against the request included Charles Keller, Monica Baxter Jeffers, Lydia Curtis Johnson, Scottie Riddle, Dale Schultz, Tyler Bauer, Johnny Hand, Spike Hosch and Carolyn Wiseman.

In favor were Jarad Shetters, David Eldridge, Grant Benere, Glenn Summers, David Kelley, William Anderson and Bruce McMillan.

Angie Fuller, a former County Commissioner who owns property close to the proposed subdivision, said she’d heard that the subdivision might be accommodating up to 200 homes on the land tract which “would change the atmosphere of the Center Grove community.”

She said a huge gas line also traverses the property which would present a challenge to properly developing the subdivision and ensuring safety.

Fuller also said traffic on an already dangerous Highway 130 would be greatly increased, further adding to the safety issues faced by the community.

She said wetlands are on part of the property which would also present development challenges.

Benere questioned the environmental concerns and said that the property would have to pass Environmental Protection Agency standards. He then referred to Barbeau and his interest in the property.

“He would be building at his own risk,” Benere said, referring to whether the developer would invest in the property only to have his efforts halted for failing to meet EPA standards.

Other residents expressed concerns corroborating Fuller’s stance.

Tina Rose, a Tullahoma resident who was speaking on her mother Nancy Rose’s behalf, said her mother owns property in the area, and the large number of homes proposed to be built would be an infringement on the nearby residents.

“I second everything that’s been said,” Rose said, adding that the subdivision would change the entire atmosphere of the area and could reduce property values.