Following intense public pushback and a disputed zoning waiver, the Roane County Planning Commission voted Wednesday evening to rescind a controversial decision regarding a 23-acre residential development along Highway 70.

The controversy centers on a proposed subdivision near Roane County Park in the Midtown area, which would have featured single- and two-story homes. Developer Frank Leanard of Leanard Properties LLC addressed the commission, stating that while he did not blame anyone for the initial administrative mistake, he and the Paterson family have mutually agreed to part ways, effectively ending the current development agreement.

The issue boiled over during Monday night’s County Commission meeting, where a large crowd of residents gathered to voice opposition. Commissioners reviewed a resolution addressing the planning board’s previous approval, which granted a waiver allowing lot sizes to shrink to approximately 7,500 square feet—a size inconsistent with existing R-2 zoning rules.

The County Attorney advised that moving forward with the resolution would violate county policies. Commissioners subsequently passed an amendment prompting the Planning Commission to reconsider the action, leading to Wednesday night’s resolution.

To prevent future administrative confusion caused by conflicting policy documents, Planning Commission member Glenda Johnson introduced a motion for a 90-day moratorium on certain rezoning requests for subdivisions with more than five properties.

The commission approved the temporary freeze, which will allow county officials time to thoroughly review regulations, eliminate ambiguities, and clarify subdivision and rezoning requirements moving forward.