Land surveyor urges commission to reconsider Highway 95 rezoning denial

Dan Spaulding, a land surveyor who identified himself as owner of Pretty Land Surveys, told the Loudon County Commission on May 11 that the planning commission’s denial of a rezoning for a parcel on State Route 95 should be reconsidered. Spaulding said the remaining road frontage is on a state route with no county infrastructure and that the site’s topography makes denser subdivision impractical.

"We could not support 24 lots on this thing just due to topography," Spaulding said, arguing that one‑acre zoning — or redesigning lots based on topography — would better match surrounding parcels and keep driveways safer. He said the proposal was not driven by large developers and described the planning commission’s decision as "dumbfounding to me." (Dan Spaulding, owner, Pretty Land Surveys.)

Commissioners acknowledged Spaulding’s concerns but noted the planning commission had reasons for its recommendation. A commissioner observed that the applicant could meet planning‑commission requirements and then refile the request. The exchange highlighted a dispute over appropriate lot size, infrastructure capacity on State Route 95, and the planning commission’s discretion.

The commission did not reverse the planning commission’s recommendation during public comment but later voted to accept the planning commission’s recommendation on the Highway 95 parcel (the planning commission had recommended denial). The commission’s action to accept the planning commission recommendation was recorded during the motions and votes on that agenda item.

The commission will proceed with the formal agenda and indicated the parcel can be resubmitted if the applicant meets the planning commission’s requirements. The meeting continued with votes on other rezoning items and routine business.