Commission approves first reading for rezoning of 24.64-acre Antioch Road site; neighbors cite sinkhole, drainage and sidewalk concerns

The Johnson City Commission on April 9 voted unanimously on first reading to advance Ordinance 4938-26, a request to rezone 24.64 acres at 0 Antioch Road from agricultural (A1) to planned residential (RP2) to allow a 48-lot single-family subdivision.

Riley Pudney, development coordinator with the planning division, told commissioners the applicant’s concept plan proposes 48 single-family lots on 24.64 acres with 3.6 acres of open space (1.8 acres active) and two entrances: a primary access from Antioch Road and a connection to an existing Dresden Avenue right-of-way. Pudney said water and sewer services are available, schools have capacity for the additional homes, and that the concept plan meets RP2 density limits. The plan’s required Dresden Avenue widening would provide 24 feet of pavement within an existing 50-foot right-of-way; staff said no sidewalk is required on that stub, and sidewalks would begin at the new development’s property line and continue inside the subdivision.

Resident Steven Crosswait, who said he lives on Beechwood Circle near the site, told the commission the property has been the subject of rezoning requests multiple times over 41 years and argued the area is geologically unstable with documented sinkholes and ongoing foundation problems. "Once you start removing those trees, there will be a chain reaction... when you build houses on it, you're going to be putting heat and weight between 20 and 30 tons per house," Crosswait said, urging commissioners to consider safety and subsurface stability.

Pudney said planning staff held two neighborhood meetings and that planning commission recommended approval with concern from some members about density and the Dresden connection. He agreed to provide additional background on prior denials and history for the public hearing on April 16. Commissioners who voted in favor said they wanted staff to return with answers to neighbors’ questions at the public hearing and second reading scheduled next week.

Action and next steps: First reading passed on a roll call vote with Commissioners Fowler, Getz, Wise, Vice Mayor Brock and Mayor Cox recorded as voting yes; a public hearing and second reading are scheduled for April 16 with final action set for May 7, 2026. Staff committed to provide additional documentation on previous applications, floodplain or wet-weather conveyances near the site, and an engineering overlay showing the proposed road cross-section and proximity to existing houses.

Ending: The commission advanced Ordinance 4938-26 to public hearing and second reading and asked staff to return with supplemental materials requested by neighbors.