Neighbors oppose special exception for tree‑care operation on Hart Road

Sumner County planning staff heard neighbors urge denial of a special‑exception request to operate a major home‑based tree‑care business on a 4.5‑acre rural residential parcel identified as owned by Christopher Smith, and voiced concerns about noise, traffic and outdoor storage.

A county staff member introduced the request and noted adjoining property owners were notified and that the staff report includes zoning‑compliance findings. The applicant, who spoke as a resident and whose name was not given on the record, told the board he was "trying to do what I can ... make a living" and said he has no employees, conducts no on‑site sales and keeps equipment "out of everybody's view." He said he typically drives to jobs and that "I have one truck, one trailer" that may be parked near the road occasionally.

Neighbors pressed the board on practical impacts. Ken Carver, of 296 Park Road, described Hart Road as about 2,500 feet long and a one‑lane dead end with no turnaround, saying trucks and trailers must back into private drives to turn around. Carver said canvassing found signatures from 18 of 25 households opposing the request and pointed to a Feb. 5 letter from county planner Sydney Simpson asking whether the use could be conducted compatibly with surrounding residential properties given potential impacts from noise, traffic and outdoor storage. "There are signatures for 18 of the 25 residences that do not want this passed," Carver said.

Sandy Waller, who lives at 260 Hart Road, said she and other homeowners bought into a rural residential zone and warned that heavy equipment and frequent truck traffic would depress property values and change the character of the neighborhood. "Please vote against this proposed change and protect preserve the character of our residential area," she said.

Nancy Willis, who identified herself as the sister of a nearby homeowner, said recent new homes sit atop the hill near the subject parcel and said a chipping sawmill next door would harm those properties. "They're dream homes up on top of that hill ... and I think this will decrease the value of that property," Willis said.

Gary Sweeney, who identified himself as Rosemary Sweeney's heir/assistant, said noise is his primary concern and asked the board to weigh noise alongside traffic impacts when deciding. The applicant reiterated that he would store equipment on the upper portion of the parcel and reiterated there were no employees or on‑site sales.

The transcript ends before any formal vote or final decision was recorded; one committee member asked that an abstention be entered for a participant, but the board's recorded disposition does not appear in the provided segments.