Planning change to cul-de-sac size approved; stormwater update seen as compliance step, not a local flooding fix

HAMBLEN COUNTY, Tenn. — The Hamblen County Public Services Committee on June 15 approved a subdivision regulation change to increase cul-de-sac diameter from 40 to 50 feet to better accommodate side-loader garbage trucks and school buses and accepted updates to the county’s MS4 stormwater program to maintain state compliance.

Planning staff (Mr. McKenna) said the cul-de-sac-size amendment is limited in scope: primarily to allow side-loader collection vehicles sufficient turning radius and to benefit school-bus maneuverability. The committee moved and approved the amendment.

On stormwater, planning/engineering staff said the MS4 update is a regulatory compliance measure with the Tennessee Consolidated Assessment (TAC/TDEC) and will not directly solve specific localized flooding problems such as the Seven Oaks site raised by a commissioner. “This is just a change to the MS4 … it is the regulation that we have to have in place to be TDEC compliant,” Mr. McKenna said.

During the public-services meeting, resident Gwen Holden praised recent paving work on Moles Hole Road and thanked highway staff for the repairs. The committee also approved the highway department’s 2026-27 paving list and agreed to make detailed location information available online.

What’s next: Planning staff will finalize text for the cul-de-sac amendment and the stormwater resolution; implementation of cul-de-sac changes will apply to future subdivisions. Highway staff will post detailed paving locations online.