Dickson County planners approve Lewis Road extension but deny requested road-standard variance

The Dickson County Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat that includes an extension of Lewis Road, but denied the applicant’s variance request for a lowered road standard. Commissioners voted that any extension must be built to the Dickson County Highway Department standards and noted the work is to be at the applicant’s expense.

The motion initially prompted confusion during roll call about what a "yes" vote meant. The chair restarted the roll call and the recorded second roll call showed the commissioners voting yes in unison (Tina Ferris, Darren Green, Todd Lindsay, Robert Walls, Jeff Chase, Randy Ramy, Amanda Barry, Patrick Reagan and Mitchell Harden), after which the chair declared the motion carried.

Safety and operational concerns informed the debate: a commissioner raised worry over the proposed driveway entrance to Lot 3A, noting its proximity to a stop sign and two utility poles, and staff recommended the county highway department inspect the proposed driveway location before final plat approval. During discussion staff also noted the existing stretch of Boaz Branch Road currently carries speeds of 45 mph and that the county commission is studying lowering the limit to 35 mph.

Commissioner Tina Ferris voiced her vote and reluctance, saying "with a heavy heart, I approve." The commission emphasized that while Lewis Road in its present condition may not meet current county standards, approval of the extension on the preliminary plat requires the applicant to meet current Dickson County Highway Department standards for the new work and the connections that fall outside the applicant’s parcel.

Next steps: highway-department field verification of sight distance and driveway placement will be required before final plat approval; staff said other off-site connections will be bonded and ultimately subject to county-commission acceptance.