Birchwood subdivision approved to go to next step despite objections

A bridge on Eldridge Road that can only support up to 10 tons of weight.

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A hotly debated proposal in rural northern Hamilton County is moving forward.

The Windy Ridge Subdivision would be up to 300 new homes off of Eldridge Road in Birchwood.

That road is currently only one lane in most spots, being only 7 feet wide, along with an old one lane bridge built in 1938.

However, the developer on the project says they plan to build up a mile of that road up to county road standards from the subdivision to the northern entrance of Eldridge Road at Birchwood Pike to increase road capacity.

Developer Mike Price argued that, “If this isn’t good, responsible development, I don’t know what is.”

Price blamed the county for the lack of infrastructure improvements to the road, and said the developers were being forced to undertake a project they should not have to.

Residents argued that isn’t enough.

One resident, Rodney Spooner, argued that in the case of an incident at TVA Sequoyah requiring evacuation, hundreds of new cars would be a disaster.

Spooner said, “This one is suicide. You’ve got in a one lane, basically if a tree falls across it, it’s gonna be blocked. It’s just a tragedy waiting to happen.”

Commissioners did vote to approve the plat with the condition that the developer must improve the road.

Hamilton County Development Director Nathan Janeway while he does not believe the project should ultimately be built, he said the Planning Commission was legally bound to approve the preliminary plat for the project since the developers are voluntarily going to improve Eldridge Road up to county standards.

The Hamilton County Commission will have to hear this case.