Bristol, Tenn., leaders are doing the right thing by unanimously supporting solely residential development on a nearly 18-acre industrial parcel on Lakeview Street.
The property is owned by Indiana-based Aurora Casket Co. But since a 110,000-square-foot manufacturing and storage facility burned there in November 2006, the property has remained vacant save for a small storage facility.
Councilman David Shumaker advocated for the property’s residential neighbors during a meeting Tuesday, saying: “I don’t intend to vote for anything but residential on that site.”
He also criticized Aurora for taking more than two years to clean the site and resolve insurance issues with homeowners whose property was damaged by the fire.
Bristol, Tenn., might stand to gain more in business taxes by keeping the site zoned general industrial.
But that zoning fails to match the overall neighborhood. Necessary Oil operates on an adjacent lot, but is the only other commercial vestige in a primarily residential neighborhood that spans at least six square blocks surrounding the Aurora property.
Industrial zoning allows the site to house any type of manufacturing business, foundry, truck terminal or any of more than 30 similar businesses. But those uses are inappropriate for a site bordered by private homes and King College to the north.
Aurora officials have previously said the site has been on the market since 2007, so far without success. Even so, as Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend pointed out Tuesday, if there were businesses interested, there are other more appropriate business and industrial park sites in Bristol, Tenn.
Another point to consider is that nearby residents, some of whom had their property damaged by the fire in 2006, want greater protection for their homes – from the obvious noise and dust inherent in living near an industrial site and from the catastrophic damage that can occur if a commercial accident or fire happens again.
Mayor Joel Staton, who lives nearby, also wants residential development on the site. “There is no reason for a manufacturing site to be in the middle of residential area,” he said.
We agree.
The nearby residents deserve a compatible neighbor – not a foundry or truck terminal or a shell of a building. Bristol, Tenn., has existing industrial sites elsewhere for commercial business growth.
Aurora officials said they want to be involved in the sale of the property and intend to speak when the council holds a public hearing on this issue in May. That is their right as the property owner.
But the company, admittedly, has not been able to find a commercial buyer for the land for more than two years. And the industrial use is just not compatible for the neighborhood.
So we urge council members to move forward on allowing single, duplex and multi-family residential construction on the site.
And we encourage Aurora to seek out a different type of buyer.
Because residential development on that land is what best benefits the existing neighborhood, and the overall community.
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