Planning Commission votes down BWXT rezoning after packed public hearing

The Washington County Planning Commission denied the request of BWXT's rezoning expansion in a four to two vote with one abstaining. A divided Washington County Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend denial of BWXT's proposed zoning expansion, capping a crowded public hearing marked by resident concerns. The commission met to hear concerns of local residents during a public hearing before the vote on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at the George Jaynes Justice Center. The decision comes after the rezoning request was tabled until a bigger venue was available to accommodate the public and those interested. The original rezone request was a proposed 128 acre rezoning of property owned by BWXT Ordnance Tennessee in Jonesborough for a planned expansion of depleted uranium manufacturing. After some pushback, BWXT said it resubmitted its request to rezone approximately 55 acres of the 128 originally requested. The zone is currently listed as agriculture and residential, and the proposal to the Washington County Planning Commission was to change it to high-impact manufacturing. The BWXT facility is currently a provider of Department of Defense special alloy components including depleted uranium (DU) with depleted and natural uranium purification capabilities. BWXT purchased the former Aerojet Ordnance Tennessee, located at 1367 Old State Route 34, Jonesborough, from L3Harris last year. Many concerned groups such as Neighbors of BWXT and Protect Jonesborough had emerged along with many local residents who posed several questions to the commission in the meeting. After the public hearing, commissioners discussed the topic and posed questions to both Angie Charles, the Washington County planning director, and Allyson Wilkinson, the county attorney. Charles said county planning staff recommended approval, saying the request aligned with the county's land use plan and existing industrial activity on the property. "The county's land use plan includes development goals that say it is essential to retain and expand the industrial development base to provide for the essential employment needs in the county," Charles said. "From the staff's view, it is consistent with the comprehensive plan. It is not an introduction of a new zoning district to the area. It is the expansion of an existing district." Charles said that rezoning does not authorize construction and that no buildings could be built without a separate site plan review by the commission. "The rezoning would be the first step in the process," the planning director said. "Nothing, construction would not take place on the property prior to site plan approval." Questions from commissioners focused on floodplain issues, stormwater regulations and whether approving the rezoning could allow other industrial uses if BWXT did not move forward with its plans. "If this committee did not proceed with construction, or if there was a change in ownership, before any structures would be built on the property, they would still require site plan approval from this body," Charles said. "We would be looking to see whether those uses were in conformity with the zoning district." Wilkinson also addressed circulating claims that tax incentives were tied to the request. "There is no tax incentive currently on the table or being considered by the county with respect to this property, this property owner or this company," Wilkinson said. "Those statements would be misinformation." As the discussion turned toward public trust, Commissioner Ken Huffine said the volume of public response weighed heavily. "I have had countless emails and phone calls, which I truly appreciate," Huffine said. "I can't represent people unless I know what they think." He described a call from a young family considering leaving the area because of health concerns. "They love this area, but they're concerned about this issue," Huffine said. "They're actually looking for other properties right now because they want to maintain the health of their children." Before making the motion, members of the commission urged both residents and the company to focus on facts ahead of the County Commission vote later this month. "There's a big lack of trust between the community, residents and the company," Huffine said. "Obtain all the facts. You make a fact based decision, and 99.9 percent of the time it's going to be the right decision." The motion brought forward was to recommend denial of the rezoning request to the full County Commission. After a roll call vote, the motion passed. The recommendation now moves to the Washington County Commission for final consideration later this month. BWXT released a statement following the meeting, stating that while they don't agree with the decision, they look forward to providing additional information to the County Commission. "This project is vital to national security and the new state-of-the-art facilities will provide long-term, good paying jobs for Washington County," the statement read. "BWXT remains committed to ensuring we protect the people and the environment of the communities where our employees live and work."