Oak Ridge North City Council members heard a preliminary report Monday by the Planning and Zoning Commission that addresses proposed regulations for homes on Robinson Road should they become rezoned for commercial usage.

In 2016, Robinson Road residents petitioned the Planning and Zoning Commission for the option to rezone homes on the street to commercial zoning. Residents said residential homes would be harder to sell in the future if construction to alleviate traffic on Robinson Road begins.

Bill Walter, vice chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, presented the proposed regulations to City Council members Monday and suggested a joint hearing be held May 22 to discuss the new regulations.

"We've been fighting this battle for 13 months," Walter said. "This [report] meets some or all the goals of residents in the city."

The elements of the preliminary report include regulations on plans for driveways, parking, signage and lighting for proposed rezoned commercial properties on Robinson Road.

Regulations include what percent of a yard has to be landscaped, what percent is for parking, and a signage measurement for businesses.

"You've been given a good rough structure," Walter said. "This will go through a series of changes and progress over time. But this was unanimously approved and we recommend we hold a public hearing May 22."

City attorney Chris Nichols said he and city manager Vicky Rudy have also addressed the concerns brought up by residents at the last Planning and Zoning meeting.

"After the April meeting I identified every concern that everyone made," Nichols said. "Vicky and I looked to see if we had something on the books that addresses the concern or if we needed to have something on the books to address the concern."

The hearing for the rezoning regulations will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the council chambers.