Planning Commission

MINUTES OF THE MURFREESBORO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 1, 2025 6:00 PM CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Jami Averwater, Vice-Chair Ben Newman, Dir. of Land Mngt. & Planning Reggis Harris Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director Kelly G Rollins Holly Smyth, Principal Planner Shawn Wright Richard Donovan, Principal Planner Stephen Anthony, Planner Carolyn Jaco, Recording Assistant John Tully, Assistant City Attorney 1. Call to order. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater called the meeting to order. 2. Determination of a quorum. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater determined that a quorum was present. 3. Public Comments. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater announced that no one signed up to speak during the Public Comment portion of the agenda. 4. Approve minutes of the September 17, 2025 Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Shawn Wright made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2025 Planning Commission meeting; the motion was seconded by Mr. Reggie Harris and carried in favor by the following vote. Aye: Jami Averwater Reggie Harris Kelly G Rollins Shawn Wright Nay: None 1  MINUTES OF THE MURFREESBORO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 1, 2025 5. Public Hearings and Recommendations to Council: Annexation petition and plan of services [2025-505] for approximately 3.95 acres located along Blackman Road, Ritesh, Rajendra, and Rikesh Patel applicants. Mr. Richard Donovan presented the Staff Comments regarding this item, a copy of which is maintained in the permanent files of the Planning Department and incorporated into these Minutes by reference. Mr. Bill Huddleston (design engineer), Mr. Clyde Rountree (landscape architect), and Ms. Karrie Heideman (architect) were in attendance representing the application. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater opened the public hearing. Mr. Gerid Alexander, 5725 Eaglemont Dr. - explained he was speaking for his neighbors, having collected over 200 signatures, who oppose this annexation request. All have concerns about traffic and safety, hours of operation, the number of vehicle trips entering and leaving this site, stormwater, and infrastructure. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater closed the public hearing. There being no further discussion, Mr. Reggie Harris made a motion to approve the annexation petition and plan of services subject to all staff comments; the motion was seconded by Mr. Kelly G Rollins and carried in favor by the following vote: Aye: Reggie Harris Kelly G Rollins Shawn Wright Jami Averwater Nay: None 2  MINUTES OF THE MURFREESBORO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 1, 2025 Zoning application [2025-413] for approximately 2.06 acres located along Blackman Road to be zoned PCD (Shelton Plaza PCD) simultaneous with annexation, Ritesh Patel applicant. Mr. Richard Donovan presented the Staff Comments regarding this item, a copy of which is maintained in the permanent files of the Planning Department and incorporated into these Minutes by reference. Mr. Bill Huddleston (design engineer), Mr. Clyde Rountree (landscape architect), and Ms. Karrie Heideman (architect) were in attendance representing the application. Mr. Clyde Rountree gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Pattern Book, which Pattern Book is maintained in the permanent files of the Planning Department and is incorporated into these Minutes by reference. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater opened the public hearing. Mr. Gerid Alexander, 5725 Eaglemont Dr. – opposes this development, stating it creates too much traffic, safety concerns, and light pollution near his home. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater closed the public hearing Mr. Bill Huddleston came forward to discuss traffic, stormwater, and lighting. The Planning Commission discussed the proposed zoning request and agreed that a white vinyl fence should be included with the Type D buffer placed between this development and the existing residential properties. Mr. Matthew Blomeley stated the applicant would need to provide a revised pattern book before it moves forward to City Council. There being no further discussion, Mr. Shawn Wright made a motion to approve the zoning application subject to all staff comments as well as the requirement that the Type D buffer along the north and east property lines be Option 1 with a 6’-tall white vinyl privacy fence 3  MINUTES OF THE MURFREESBORO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 1, 2025 minus shrubbery; the motion was seconded by Mr. Kelly G Rollins and carried in favor by the following vote: Aye: Reggie Harris Kelly G Rollins Shawn Wright Jami Averwater Nay: None Zoning application [2025-418] for approximately 0.29 acres located along East Burton Street and North Spring Street to be rezoned from RM-12 & CCO to OG-R & CCO, Brad Chambers applicant. Ms. Holly Smyth presented the Staff Comments regarding this item, a copy of which is maintained in the permanent files of the Planning Department and incorporated into these Minutes by reference. Mr. Brad Chambers (applicant/developer) was in attendance representing the application. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak for or against the zoning application; therefore, Vice-Chair Jami Averwater closed the public hearing. There being no further discussion, Mr. Shawn Wright made a motion to approve the zoning application subject to all staff comments; the motion was seconded by Mr. Reggie Harris and carried in favor by the following vote: Aye: Reggie Harris Kelly G Rollins Shawn Wright Jami Averwater Nay: None 4  MINUTES OF THE MURFREESBORO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 1, 2025 Zoning application [2025-420] for approximately 0.72 acres located along Bridge Avenue to be rezoned from RS-10 to PND and to amend the existing PND zoning (Transit Center PND #2021-413) for approximately 5.4 acres located along New Salem Highway and Bridge Avenue, WeGo Public Transit applicant. Ms. Holly Smyth presented the Staff Comments regarding this item, a copy of which is maintained in the permanent files of the Planning Department and incorporated into these Minutes by reference. Vice-Chair Jami Averwater opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak for or against the zoning application; therefore, Vice-Chair Jami Averwater closed the public hearing. There being no further discussion, Mr. Kelly G Rollins made a motion to approve the zoning application subject to all staff comments and to revising the pattern book as needed before City Council; the motion was seconded by Mr. Reggie Harris and carried by the following vote: Aye: Reggie Harris Kelly G Rollins Shawn Wright Jami Averwater Nay: None 6. Staff Reports and Other Business: Mandatory Referral [2025-714] to consider the dedication of easements for CUD and MTE on City-owned property located along Central Valley Road, Middle Tennessee Electric applicant. Mr. Matthew Blomeley presented the Staff Comments regarding this item, a copy of which is maintained in the permanent files of the Planning Department and incorporated into these Minutes by reference. 5  MINUTES OF THE MURFREESBORO PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 1, 2025 There being no further discussion, Mr. Reggie Harris made a motion to approve the mandatory referral subject to all staff comments, including all recommended conditions of approval in the staff report; the motion was seconded by Mr. Kelly G Rollins and carried in favor by the following vote: Aye: Reggie Harris Kelly G Rollins Shawn Wright Jami Averwater Nay: None Mr. Matthew Blomeley introduced Mr. Stephen Anthony, Planner, who started work for the Planning Department this week. 7. Adjourn. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. _______________________________________ Chair _______________________________________ Secretary 6