East Ridge commission approves rezoning at 529 Frolley Road, reducing approved units

The East Ridge Planning Commission on June 1 voted to approve a rezoning request for 529 Frolley Road, a move that will reduce the parcel's allowable residential units from 108 to 77 and resolve a nonconformity with a recent zoning ordinance.

Planning staff presented the proposal and said the change would lower density from about 4.04 dwelling units per acre to 2.9 units per acre. "Approval of the RZ1 request would reduce that figure to 2.9 dwelling units corresponding to 77 lots, which is a net reduction of approximately 31 lots," said Mr. Howell, the staff presenter.

The change also remedies the parcel's mismatch with Ordinance 1200, which the staff cited as newly requiring RT1 parcels to be bordered by various qualifying districts. Staff told commissioners they found no compatibility conflicts and that the proposed single-family detached layout is consistent with nearby uses.

During the public-comment period, residents raised infrastructure and livability concerns. Rana Clark of 520 Lefield Road said her "biggest concern obviously is infrastructure," noting local power and gas access issues and saying she would not object if the change reduced density. John Clesing of 530 Frolley Road, who lives directly across from the site, said he was worried about headlight glare and traffic at the proposed entrance: "approximately 150 cars coming going in the evening and the morning shine lights directly into my living room," he said, and offered maps and photos to illustrate sightlines.

The applicant, Joseph Ingram, told the commission that shifting the road or entrance would be difficult because the current layout ties into the approved preliminary plan, but he said he would review the suggestion to relocate the access. Staff and commissioners agreed any significant change to the roadway or pipe sizes would require additional engineering work and, for larger infrastructure alterations, City Council approval. Commissioners asked staff to flag the site for stormwater inspection; staff noted AC Engineering would be asked to review the drainage concerns.

Commissioners were also told the rezoning is likely to be forwarded to City Council within weeks for final consideration, allowing time to explore a turn-lane or sightline mitigations. A motion to approve the rezoning passed on a roll call vote of the members present; the commission then adjourned.

The item will move to the City Council for the next step in the approval process and staff indicated they will follow up on stormwater and potential traffic-mitigation options prior to that appearance.