Lebanon planning commission given choice: Approve 270 apartment units or likely lawsuit
A site plan to build 270 apartment units in 11 buildings in Lebanon was approved after planning commissioners were warned a denial could mean a lawsuit against the city.
The development tentatively labeled CR 109 Apartments is on about 22 acres on Hickory Ridge Road near the new Publix that opened in December on State Route 109.
A number of residents spoke against the multifamily development with concerns about added traffic congestion issues for Hickory Ridge and Palmer roads and 109, and the density’s impact on quality of life for those already there.
Wilson County Commissioner Jeremy Reich was among those asking planning commissioners to vote down the site plan “for safety purposes and for the livelihood of these citizens here today.”
But attorney Tom White, representing the developer, stated the site plan meets zoning and other city requirements for approval and that voting it down could spur legal issues.
“The law is very clear if somebody meets site plan approval there is no discretion (allowed) by the planning commission,” White said. “They need to approve it.”
Lebanon City Attorney Andy Wright also addressed planning commissioners about the potential for legal action if the plan was voted down.
“Time after time after time, the courts in Tennessee say if that’s all you got is fear and opposition of neighbors that’s not a valid and legal reason for denying a project,” Wright said.
A right turn lane at Hickory Ridge at State Route 109 and widening a portion of Hickory Ridge in front of the development are required with the plan and subject to Wilson County Road Commission and Lebanon traffic engineer approval, city officials said.
"We’re going to push them for more road improvements, as much as possible,” Lebanon councilmember for the area and planning commissioner Chris Crowell said.
Crowell spoke out against the plan at the planning commission meeting and still voted against it. The commission voted 6-1 to pass the plan with one abstention.
Hopes are to break ground on the apartments around the middle of 2023 with the first units possibly opening in late 2024, Chartwell Residential Senior Partner Ben Schaedle said. Completion is estimated for about two years after construction starts, Schaedle said.
Chartwell Residential has developed a number of multifamily communities in Middle Tennessee. Rent prices and a name for the future Lebanon development will be determined.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lebanon approves 270 apartments after legal action discussed
