How could a plan to build 274 homes impact Lebanon's Five Oaks and golf communities?

Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean
·4 min read

Lebanon planning commissioners and councilors will soon consider a plan that seeks to build 274 single family homes and townhomes that would include a new road connection some believe is necessary for the Five Oaks community.

However, some also believe the housing plan on nearly 107 acres won't be a good fit for the area.

The Meadows at Five Oaks would be built for ages 55-up on undeveloped land toward the back of Five Oaks neighborhoods just off Highway 70, and estimated to have more than 500 single-family homes, townhomes and apartment units.

There are also large homes and lots on Horn Springs Road just outside of the Five Oaks neighborhood.

David Weekley Homes is seeking to annex the property for The Meadows at Five Oaks into Lebanon. A rezone and future land use plan amendment will also be needed to move forward.

Area councilmember Phil Morehead has supported The Meadows at Five Oaks plan so far. A major reason, he said, is because of road improvements connected to the plan that will give existing Five Oaks neighborhood residents an additional option to come in and out.

A aerial few of the residential building plan named The Meadows at Five Oaks.
A aerial few of the residential building plan named The Meadows at Five Oaks.

Right now, Five Oaks Boulevard off Highway 70 is the only way in and out of that neighborhood, which Morehead believes can be inconvenient for residents, depending on where they are going, and potentially dangerous in emergency situations.

Morehead believes the new development plan can addresses "a major life/safety issue."

"My job is to do what's best for the majority of the residents," he said.

The Meadows at Five Oaks plan seeks a specific plan zoning for 164 single-family homes and 110 townhomes. Single-family lots would range from 5,850-10,400 square feet and townhome lots would require a minimum of 4,550 square feet.

"The zoning change simply does not fit the character of the area," said Michael Hershey, a resident of Horn Springs Road.

Hershey also expressed concerns about adding traffic to Horn Springs Road, which he described as a "dangerous" roadway with numerous sharp curves.

A sign for Five Oaks Boulevard in Lebanon.
A sign for Five Oaks Boulevard in Lebanon.

The developer’s master plan shows an extension of Five Oaks Boulevard that will provide two connections to Horn Springs Road. The connections will allow motorists to go east or north onto Horn Springs Road, according to Morehead.

"I think it's a great deal if they do what they say," Five Oaks resident Jim Edens said at a community meeting. "If they can hook on to Horn Springs, it can cut traffic on Five Oaks Boulevard."

Resident Ken Christian moved to Horn Springs Road from Windsor, Colorado because of growth he felt overwhelmed that community, saying there were negative impacts to traffic, crime and services.

"I'm very concerned about the overall path the city is on," Christian said of Lebanon. "It seems like they are focusing on growth for the sake of growth at the expense of the residents in this area."

Development representatives expect a 55-over community will limit traffic and student growth impacts, according to discussion at a community meeting.

Golf course tie-in

David Weekley Homes has also agreed to make a contribution toward The Club at Five Oaks, which includes a golf course and clubhouse. It accepts members inside and outside of the community.

In an email, the company said the contribution was "an effort to invest back in the community."

David Weekley Homes also developed The Preserve at Five Oaks at the Five Oaks community, which has homesites along the golf course. The Meadows at Five Oaks would be close enough to the course to offer easy golf cart access, according to the email sent on behalf of Jeff Rhodes, division president in Nashville for David Weekley Homes.

Residents were able to look at plans of The Meadows at Five Oaks seeking approval and annexation into Lebanon during a community meeting on July 17, 2024.
Residents were able to look at plans of The Meadows at Five Oaks seeking approval and annexation into Lebanon during a community meeting on July 17, 2024.

The city would not be involved with an agreement between private property owners, Lebanon planning staff personnel said. The amount of a potential contribution wasn't confirmed. There was also discussion of a pending sale of the golf course to a group of investors at a community meeting on The Meadows at Five Oaks plan.

Approval steps

The Meadows at Five Oaks will ultimately need council approval through two readings.

The plan is scheduled to be reviewed at Lebanon's planning commission on July 23. The planning commission can vote to give the plan a positive or negative recommendation, which is non-binding.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Meadows at Five Oaks proposes 274 new homes, new road near Lebanon