Tensions ran high Tuesday morning inside the chamber of the Madison County Fiscal Court.
During their regular called meeting, magistrates heard the second reading of Ordinance 2025-006. The ordinance seeks to implement a Land Use Change on College Hill Road/Fike Road in order to begin development on a residential subdivision. This development project is currently headed by College Hill Investments, LLC and would see up to 192 houses built on approximately 70 acres of land. Tuesday’s hearing comes three years after an initial hearing to implement the zone change was denied back in 2022. A representative for College Hill Investments, Preston Worley, delivered opening remarks on the ordinance. Worley disputed residents’ claims of traffic accidents in the proposed development area as well as traffic congestion that would be exacerbated by the additional housing. He also remarked on the county’s need for more housing units.
The Fiscal Court then allowed public comment regarding the matter, with area residents citing a variety of potential infrastructure issues.
Following public comment, Worley responded to the residents’ concerns, reiterating that traffic studies predict the material impact of the new development will only pose a slight increase in peak traffic throughout the day. Another factor that was cited in defense of the zoning change was that the property was identified for residential development in the County’s Comprehensive Plan, meaning it would have access to sewer, water, and fire protection services. Ordinance 2025-006 was approved by the Fiscal Court with the only dissenting vote coming from Magistrate Billy Ray Hughes whose district includes the College Hill area.
