Heard County approves rezoning for proposed go‑kart track with conditions

Chairman Lee Boone opened a public hearing on a rezoning request from Jimmy and Terri Thomaston (10 Knight Road, Franklin). The application sought to rezone two parcels of 6.62 acres each (13.24 acres total) from rural development to general commercial to permit construction of a go‑kart track. Mrs. Thomaston asked the Board to approve the request and the planning commission had recommended approval with limitations.

Adjoining landowner James William Newman, owner of 48.3 acres across from the property, urged the Board to deny the change, saying commercial zoning in an agricultural area would diminish the value of his property. After discussion, Commissioner Keri Denney moved and Commissioner Gwen Caldwell seconded approval of the rezoning with conditions recommended by the planning commission addressing hours of operation, buffering, parking, noise levels and security. The Board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning with those conditions and closed the public hearing.