A packed room of concerned residents attended Monday night’s Roane County Commission meeting to voice opposition to a planned residential development on a 23-acre parcel along Highway 70 near Roane County Park.

The property, owned by the Patterson family, had previously secured a footage-limit waiver from the Roane County Planning Commission. However, County Attorney Greg Leffew advised commissioners that the waiver potentially conflicts with the county’s established R-2 zoning regulations.

Following Leffew’s recommendation, the County Commission overwhelmingly approved an amendment to send the issue back to the Planning Commission. This move allows the planning board to reconsider and potentially retract the waiver during its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, September 16, at 7:00 PM at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston.

With significant public interest already surrounding the project, local officials anticipate a large turnout for Wednesday’s open meeting.