The supporting elements for retail development along the Merchants Greene Boulevard corridor continue to grow as more land is claimed for use.

At Tuesday night’s Morristown City Council meeting, a proposal was unveiled to realign S. Bellwood Road to better accommodate traffic into the back of a proposed retail development that is being planned for the east side of the boulevard south of the railroad tracks.

Anchored by two as-of-yet unannounced big box stores, square footage shown on preliminary drawings suggest the larger of the two stores is the size of a Walmart Supercenter or a Target. The location is less than a half mile south of an existing Walmart Supercenter.

The developer would construct the realignment of the roadway, but is asking the city for $1 million as the project hits milestones, the last of which is the opening of one of the two “big box retail businesses in the Development.”

Plans also show early engineering, for some point in the future after the retail development, an eventual construction of a roundabout that will facilitate a new east/west corridor with the proposed road coming out of Veterans Parkway towards central Morristown.

City Administrator Andrew Ellard said there was a 15 year timeframe in which to complete this future road project.

Land in that area is underdeveloped but a road through it would allow for “backfill” development and provide a traffic artery to handle future growth in the city.

As for the proposed retail development, things appear to be moving at too quick of pace to use possible state or federal grants to accommodate a desired construction schedule, which is why the developer, Merchants Crossing, LLC, has approached the city.

City staff recommended approval for the agreement and the Council approved the agreement unanimously, though Council Member Chris Bivens was absent.

In other action, the Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to annex just over three acres of land at the northeastern intersection of Greenbriar Road and W. Andrew Johnson Highway in Talbott.

A multifamily apartment complex is proposed and an R-3, a high density residential, designation.

The proposed layout submitted by the developer shows dozens of potential units that would provide more options for renters in Hamblen County.

The Council approved the ordinance, with a dissenting vote from Council Member Joseph Senter, and it will have to pass a second reading to be fully approved.

A right-of-way purchase for land adjacent to Central Church Road was approved for the widening of the road between the fire station on Central Church and the road’s terminus at W. Andrew Johnson Highway.

Council will consider acceptance of a federal cybersecurity grant program award totaling $9,412.50. The funding will support cybersecurity software and training, and city documents note no local match is required.