The site is located on the north side of Rutledge Pike just to the west of the Grainger County line. Planned Commercial Zoning was approved for this site in November, 2001. At the time the site was rezoned the applicant stated that it was his intent to develop the site with a self storage facility. The property was zoned PC (Planned Commercial) in order to permit a review of the proposed development plans.

At the time this application was postponed last month, staff requested the applicant provide an improved site plan and additional information regarding the access and grading proposed for the site. The site is very steep and has already been subjected to some grading. Extensive grading will be required to implement the proposed plan. Staff is concerned with the 70' high cut at 1.5 to1 slope that will be required to make the upper portion of the site developable. There are similarly steep slopes adjoining the driveway access. The applicant's engineer has stated these slopes will be sodded. Even with the sodding, it is very difficult to stabilize steep cuts like the ones contained in this proposal.

The Northeast County Sector Plan identifies the site as a hillside that is to be slope protected. Making large cuts in the side of this hill is not in conformance with that plan. Due to the steepness of the site it will be very difficult to develop this property. There are other commercially zoned sites along Rutledge Pk. that can accommodate the proposed use.