What we reported
During an Aug. 1 Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, city officials and Robinson Road residents discussed the process of rezoning homes on the street from residential to commercial usage. Fifteen properties west of Blueberry Hill Drive on Robinson Road were listed on a residential petition requesting another zoning classification to allow for commercial uses. The request would allow the homes to be turned into businesses. Residents at the meeting made it clear they want the proposed zoning change to include the option of being able to sell their homes in the future as part of commercial zoning. Oak Ridge North resident Al Overstreet said homes would be hard to sell as part of residential zoning because of the proposed construction to alleviate traffic on Robinson Road.

The latest
At a special-called meeting Oct. 10, the Oak Ridge North City Council approved a preliminary engineering study on one of the Robinson Road solutions recommended by the Robinson Road subcommittee. The council chose to move forward with
Option 3, which would result in the creation of four lanes on Robinson Road from I-45 to Oak Ridge Park Drive. Council Member Alex Jones said the subcommittee looked at several factors when considering the options and wanted a solution that would be long term, even if it is more expensive. The council agreed to move forward with the study on Option 3, find out costs for the project and then reconvene with RPS Klotz Associates and the Robinson Road subcommittee to go over the results.

What’s next
City Manager Vicky Rudy said the city of Oak Ridge North will hold a workshop in January to present the findings of the preliminary engineering study to council members and residents. The findings of the study will show the layout of the road and the effect the potential project would have on properties and traffic. Residents who signed the petition to have their homes rezoned from residential to commercial properties on Robinson Road are expected to have an answer from City Council members by February or March. Rudy said the Planning and Zoning Commission has met every month to work on a draft ordinance to present to the council. If it is approved, residents’ homes on Robinson Road will be rezoned.