Sterling Engineering Seeks Plat Approval for 1407 Montvale Rd; Residents Push Back

Sterling Engineering, Inc., acting on behalf of the property owner, submitted a request for preliminary plat approval for property located at 1407 Montvale Road in the Residential zoning district of Maryville, Tennessee. (maryvillegov.com) The parcel spans roughly 22.46 acres and is listed for sale at about $2 million. (zillow.com)

Local residents have strongly opposed the project, citing safety risks, heavier traffic, and increased strain on city infrastructure. Many believe that further residential growth along Montvale Road would worsen congestion and create new hazards on an already busy corridor. A community petition opposing the subdivision has gathered hundreds of signatures and spread quickly across social media.

During the Maryville Municipal Planning Commission meeting on October 20, 2025, Sterling Engineering’s request appeared as agenda item 13. While the official minutes have not yet been released, several attendees reported that the proposal was voted down 5-0, with one member abstaining due to a conflict of interest. This claim has not been independently verified by the City of Maryville, but it reflects consistent accounts shared by residents who were present at the meeting.

According to posts from the “Save Montvale” community group, the plan would include roughly 68 homes on 22 acres, exiting directly onto Montvale Road. Residents argue that this density is incompatible with existing road design and would worsen drainage and traffic conditions. The developer’s detailed site plan has not been publicly released.

If the preliminary plat had passed, it would have allowed the project to move toward final subdivision approval and construction. However, the reported vote indicates a clear message from the Planning Commission that the city’s current infrastructure cannot reasonably support additional large-scale housing developments in this area.

Future updates will depend on when the official minutes and staff report are posted by the city. Those documents are expected to confirm the vote tally and include the commission’s stated reasons for its decision.