JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A meeting discussing whether to recommend Washington County rezone a property at 138 Minga Drive began with Planner Brice McNamer speaking on behalf of the Johnson City Planning Department.

“So with that being said, staff would recommend approval of the rezoning,” McNamer said.

The nearly 18 and a half acres of property in question are currently zoned R-1. A request by the group Minga Road Properties LLC is to change that to PRD-2, allowing for more houses on the land.

Developer Jonathan Lewis says his group doesn’t have plans to fill the land with houses.

“The county PRD-2 allows for 6.5 units per acre, and we propose approximately half of that,” said applicant Jonathan Lewis.

Jeff Hopland bought a home surrounded by the 138 Minga Road property. He explained what this new development would mean to the home he just bought in May.

“The area that they’re talking about trying to develop is on three sides of my property,” said Jeff Hopland.

Nearly a dozen neighboring residents voiced their concern about the rezoning.

“I’m very concerned about the increased traffic the Minga [Drive] development will have on Minga [Drive] and Claude Simmons.”

“It’s a planned unit development. There’s no property lines. There’s no control, and we have no ability to see it until after it’s done.”

“We consider it agricultural, country living, and we want to keep it this way. We would also like to keep our families and pets and neighbors safe as we travel the small county roads.”

After discussion, the planning commission approved a motion to deny the rezoning recommendation request.

The Johnson City Regional Planning Commission can only provide a recommendation. The rezoning request now goes to the Washington County Commission for a vote. That meeting is scheduled for July 28.