Sheila Kelly told the Sumner County Board of Zoning Appeals she is seeking a family subdivision to split a 4.24‑acre Rural Preservation parcel into two lots so a sister can live nearby.

Planning staff said the request is governed by Chapter 14, Section 14‑11 of the county zoning resolution and must follow a two‑step process: this board must first grant a special exception and, if granted, the subdivision plat would proceed to the planning commission for final review. Staff showed aerial maps and elevations and told the board the proposed lot configuration would fit the character of the neighborhood if the board finds the special‑exception findings are met.

Kelly told the board, "I'm 75 years old and need to have family nearby," a statement included in the staff packet. Staff said the resolution requires an affidavit confirming the property will pass to an immediate family member and a covenant restricting transfer to a non‑immediate family member for 15 years unless an involuntary transfer occurs (foreclosure, judicial sale, condemnation or bankruptcy).

Several neighbors opposed the request or sought clarification. Neighbor Kenny Summers said he grew up on the land and recalled being told the parcel would not be further subdivided. Nathan Gregory and other nearby property owners said the proposed lot layout would not intrude on neighbors’ privacy and stressed they had complied with staff requests. Janet Jones, a real‑estate broker, noted recorded covenants and expressed concern about the effect of a new dwelling on adjacent property values and health concerns related to burning on a different contested parcel discussed at the meeting.

Staff told the board the subdivision could proceed if the board makes the necessary special‑exception findings and that the final plat and covenants would compel compliance with the resolution’s requirements. The board did not announce a final decision in the provided transcript portion.