Kensington Ridge is approved. After nearly two hours of debate over three access plans, the Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, passed the 134-lot subdivision on West Division Street on second reading at its Oct. 26 meeting, Main Street Media's Chronicle of Mt. Juliet reported. The vote was 4-1, with District 4 Commissioner Jennifer Milele voting no.
The board had approved the plan unanimously on first reading in September, after a positive recommendation from the Mt. Juliet Planning Commission in June.
The project
Kensington Ridge covers 53.15 acres about a quarter mile west of North Mt. Juliet Road. Plans call for a buildout of about four years in two phases. Amenities include a park pavilion, playground, pickleball court, walking trails, a pet park, a disc golf area and a play lawn.
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The access debate
Most of the discussion was about how traffic gets in and out. Neighbors from Willoughby Station and Hickory Hills preferred an informal third option with two access points and two cul-de-sacs. City Traffic Engineer Todd Serbent said either of the two formal options would bring an additional 1,000-1,800 cars to the area.
"We support this development, but not to compromise safety," Willoughby Station resident Caroline Johnson told the board.
Commissioners kept the planning commission's three-access plan and amended it to add nine sets of speed cushions, maintenance-free backyard fencing and a letter to the railroad about the nearest crossing on West Division Street. Two roundabouts may be considered during engineering.
Mayor James Maness said that if the city turned the plan down, "No doubt the developer would go to the county for approval."
Impact fee study rides on Tuesday's vote
The same night, the board approved spending about $75,000 from the current budget on an impact fee study, if voters repeal Home Rule on the Nov. 3 ballot. The study would review current fees and land use categories and calculate new fees.
The referendum itself does not set a fee. As WZTV in Nashville explained, the ballot question "does not create a new tax, approve an impact fee or change day-to-day city services," and any impact fee proposal would need separate action afterward.
Downtown district next
Developers of Mt. Juliet's planned downtown district also met with more than 70 residents on Oct. 28 at the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce, the Chronicle reported. The site is mostly eight acres of city-owned land east of City Hall, between East Hill Street and East Caldwell Street, and a new City Hall is expected to be part of it.
The developer has submitted rezoning plans. A plan shown last February included 87,000 square feet of commercial space, a one-acre plaza and 275 multi-family units, though details are still open. "There are still about seven or eight more votes that are all going to involve public comment," John Wageman of the development team said.
Sources
- Mt. Juliet approves 134-lot Kensington Ridge on West Division Street, Chronicle of Mt. Juliet (Main Street Media)
- Mt. Juliet Home Rule referendum: What the November ballot question means, FOX 17
- Residents, developers meet about possible Mt. Juliet downtown district, Chronicle of Mt. Juliet (Main Street Media)
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