JC commission to make final vote on Hopper Road annexation, 120 townhomes

Johnson City commissioners will soon make their final decisions on an annexation request on Hopper Road and 120 townhomes on Mountainview Road. Here are the highlights on the agenda for the board's meeting Thursday night. Hopper Road annexation Commissioners will decide if two parcels located on Hopper Road will be incorporated with Johnson City Thursday. Property owners, sisters Eugenia Thomas Fox and Donna Fox Hobbs, have requested the city annex the parcels for an eventual 37-home development. The two parcels total around 13.5 acres and have frontage on both Hopper and Indian Ridge roads, according to documents included in the commission's agenda. The owners have previously said they hope for the development to be a home to working professionals in the area. In 2025, they requested the land be zoned for an eventual 105 townhomes, but withdrew the proposal after the city commission shot it back to the planning commission. Despite the reduction in units since the owners' initial request, Hopper Road residents have been outspoken against the proposed development. Those who currently live on or near the road have said they're concerned about traffic on the roadway they say is already dangerous for residents. The commission will have its final vote on both a voluntary annexation request and a zoning assignment for the property Thursday. If both are approved, the owners can move forward with the plat process for the development. A public hearing will be held before the commission votes on either the annexation request and the zoning assignment for the property, according to Thursday's agenda. Final vote on 120 townhomes, possible hotel The city commission will have its final vote Thursday for plans to add 120 townhomes at 1170 W. Mountainview Rd., across the street from the existing Universal at Mountainview and Bluffs at Knob Creek apartments. The 9.5-acre property is owned by Unaka Avenue Baptist Church and the developer is Chris Alley. The board will also have its final say on a $1.1 million sale of 2.5 acres of city-owned property to Vintage Hotel Group (VHG). The property, located on the corner of Novus Drive and Sells Ave, sits just north of Publix on State of Franklin and will neighbor a future Culver's restaurant, which the commission green-lighted in May. The property is part of a larger piece of city land formerly known as Optimist Park. VHG is the developer behind at least two Johnson City Hilton hotels: Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites. The commission unanimously approved both the townhomes and land sale on second reading at its June 25 meeting. Thursday's commission meeting will start at 6 p.m. and will take place at City Hall, 601 E. Main St. inside the commission chambers.