Oak Ridge North acquires community center site for $581,576 for Robinson Road alignment, widening

Editor's note: The story was corrected to include the name of the Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning Board, which was incorrectly given as The Woodlands, which is a separate governmental entity.

Plans to widen and align Robinson Road in Oak Ridge North took a step forward May 9 when City Council approved a resolution to acquire a key site from Montgomery County needed to advance the project.

The site of the Robinson Road Community Center, which was owned by the county, was acquired through eminent domain by the city for $581,576 through the resolution, according to meeting materials, and an interlocal agreement between the entities was approved by Montgomery County Commissioners Court on April 26. After an executive session, the council further approved $24,462 for right of way acquisitions on Robinson Road.

In addition to widening Robinson Road, the project will align the road with Hanna Road with a four-way traffic light. Community Impact Newspaper previously reported the $6 million project could go out to bid as early as mid-2022, though early 2023 was the timeline slated for the project to begin.

"This is something we’ve all been waiting for," Mayor Paul Bond said at the meeting.

Audio of the meeting is available on the Oak Ridge North document center.

Residential chicken limit discussed

The council also discussed May 9 a recommendation from the Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning Board to allow a certain number of chickens on residential properties. A current ordinance allows up to three chickens on properties over 1 acre in size and no chickens for smaller lots, officials said. Residents with several dozen chickens on their property for personal food production purposes had asked for a variance at an April 11 council meeting.

An informal discussion among council members revealed a majority was opposed to changing the ordinance and a decision on that the item will be discussed at a future meeting when the applicants return.

Council Member Alex Jones said he was not opposed to the idea of allowing more chickens.

"Unless something gets out and stirs them, you don’t know they’re there; to me, it wouldn’t be so bad," he said.