FARRAGUT, Tenn. – For nearly a year, residents of the Village of Concord have rallied against the construction of an EZ Stop gas station in their historic neighborhood. Despite their efforts, the development was approved after a heated debate at a local meeting.
The Village of Concord, a historic area within Farragut, is zoned as CN (Neighborhood Commercial), a classification that technically allows for the construction of businesses like gas stations. However, many local residents, including Charles Ellis, president of the Old Concord Residents Association, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that such a development would undermine the neighborhood’s historic character.
“This zoning is intended for neighborhood-based businesses, and we feel that a gas station doesn’t fit with the community we’re trying to preserve,” Ellis said during one of the community meetings. “It’s right next to our neighborhood, and it’s not the type of development we envisioned for this area.”
The developers behind the EZ Stop gas station, which will be built at the intersection of Second Drive and Concord Road, argue that the station is designed to serve drivers already passing through the area. According to the developers’ lawyer, the station will not result in a significant increase in traffic or redirect vehicles into the neighborhood.
“Any vehicles going into the Concord neighborhood are the vehicles that are already going there. This station will simply provide an option for those already on the road,” the lawyer explained. “Our traffic impact analysis shows no major change in traffic patterns.”
Despite the developer’s assurances, opposition remained strong, with many residents raising concerns about the station’s impact on the area’s traffic flow, safety, and historic value. At a meeting that stretched for two hours, a number of residents expressed their frustration, pleading with the town’s leaders to reconsider the project.
After a lengthy discussion, the Farragut Board of Zoning Appeals voted 6-2 in favor of the project, allowing construction to proceed. While the decision was a defeat for the community members opposed to the station, some residents were able to secure changes to the original plans.
“We’re not happy about the gas station, but we’re grateful that the building’s size was reduced from the original proposal,” said Taylor Harris, one of the residents who fought the project. “It’s a step in the right direction, though in an ideal world, we would have preferred a different business here, something that’s more in line with the neighborhood’s character.”
One significant change to the plan is the addition of a right-turn-only lane to help mitigate congestion in the area, a move residents hope will improve traffic flow.
“While it’s disappointing that the gas station is going ahead, we’re proud of the changes we were able to secure,” Harris added. “We fought hard to make it safer for the community, and in the end, that’s what matters most.”
Despite the final vote, many in the Village of Concord continue to express concerns over the long-term impact of the gas station on their neighborhood. The development is expected to move forward, but it is clear that the residents’ efforts have not gone unnoticed, with some seeing the changes as a small victory in preserving their community’s safety and character.
