[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6388345,"mediaKeyId","2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2","parentId",2114699,"title","Residents press Smyrna council for traffic safety fixes on Foxland Drive and Poplarwood; staff pledges striping, signage and review","audioSeconds",296,"startMs",1742000,"endMs",2038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2&start=1742&end=2038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2/thumbnail_1742000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388345/Smyrna/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Residents-press-Smyrna-council-for-traffic-safety-fixes-on-Foxland-Drive-and-Poplarwood-staff-pledges-striping-signage-and-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388345-cecc70c2993726290983b735864c6d9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356047&Signature=cIR3l6cuspSvPc~nrg0-1YzyFARl0vO07zqGZ-FgHh-ZoGKq0RDHLoPRhid4jW8vSAcx7T2vOQrFN3~IncLRP-XpCVU9zxjKpCFQVOHuGU7dsQ5uI07Rq0y-j0pN3L5CfHX2NJEJzh0lNms8W81domudX9Ty-R4fu4Gzi81iPswwbsSd2rDUxFoAsIJbFUvfW~jvo1tqs3LZbw~7m3J9OnTGVilCNaWweRJPsHmU0t~R8NdRdTkdlGOMoJlZRgPnhEjyZGOlYyl1hE6iqZLk5tW4-ZTa5JNW2EMC7PT~bMCOSJxM2nDosofIXt4xVtDO7BLl4OSpfPwqLKfBgxsbGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Smyrna, TN","date","2025-01-15T13:58:50Z","article","Tyler Smith, a Smyrna resident, told the council during public comment that his neighborhood at Foxland Drive needs traffic-calming measures and better sight lines where Foxland meets Poplarwood. Smith cited children walking to Steward’s Creek schools, a playground at a nearby church and what he called increased truck traffic after a new Pepsi distribution center opened on Almaville Road.

Public works superintendent Tom Rose answered that the town can install “skip striping” to help prevent drivers from cutting a corner and said the town prefers a playground symbol sign near the church rather than the old-style “children at play” signs. Rose said symbol signs are more visible across language groups and less likely to become background noise.

Rose also said crews will add the striping work to the contractor schedule and that the Poplarwood/Almaville corridor is part of a corridor study staff has been using to coordinate developer-required improvements, including extending a right-turn lane near a new gas station.

Concerns about semi-trucks: Residents said semis associated with a new PepsiCo distribution center are using Poplarwood as a shortcut; staff said the town would investigate routing (including GPS routing) and possible mitigations and coordinate with county and state agencies where appropriate.

Enforcement and police presence: Residents asked for a stronger police presence and were told the police department had assigned one officer to the area; council members said they would monitor enforcement needs as development and traffic patterns change.

Follow-up: Public works agreed to inspect the intersection, schedule striping and review whether pavement or other short-term fixes should be advanced on the city resurfacing list. Staff also said the corridor study will guide longer-term investments; any changes that require right-of-way or major design will come back to the council as projects are scoped.

Ending: Residents thanked staff for the planned short-term striping and sign work and asked the town to revisit the area as nearby development proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting - 01/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Smyrna resident described speeding, semi-truck routing and sight-line issues near Foxland Drive and Poplarwood; public works staff said it will add skip-striping, evaluate a playground symbol sign and coordinate corridor improvements tied to planned projects.","taxTitle","Smyrna, Rutherford County, Tennessee","taxId",7984,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388349,"Votes at a glance: Smyrna council approves annexations, rezonings and PRD amendments",431,5257000,5688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2&start=5257&end=5688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2/thumbnail_5257000.jpg","/articles/6388349/Smyrna/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Smyrna-council-approves-annexations-rezonings-and-PRD-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388349-088443395f3fc398b223d2900899b87d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356047&Signature=ckmlfieS6eC9ncg7aZQkxeHkvtbkhSvRrSiWmJOvzN9~mATxKYfKADKQPeGDO3QXVVKuvaU-uc0AhbLHA19CdchgnJCpmVT8xu3kiO1YCxYoqY0tXay2TEGSOnuxlNWuF45Jf8Ye-KrrFOm2xwuuy43IqNcv7nos3LeuqS9OygsT4cehjMplTpwgLHZvPyBcX-zib2y3mHYIrItfbGZyBcta-obyloGcFPI7cKPVeD8uzFQiJQFgScMzH1xwcmPbIwgMwePu5XPCkTi0uCeXu-Hn6lwJPqXxnS81tzohttrJq99elmCOvK9wI0OZ42qvdRXrF3BJcpIS~Au-k~mucg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its January meeting, the Smyrna Town Council approved multiple annexations, zoning changes and a text amendment affecting Planned Residential Districts (PRDs). Several routine consent items were also approved.

Key actions
- Annexations and rezonings: The council approved multiple annexations and related zoning actions, including (by consolidated motions) the Rose C. Neil Revocable Trust annexation/PRD (approx. 29.79 acres, 83 single-family lots), a Neil Avenue annexation and R-3 zoning for a property at 139 Neil Avenue, and other rezoning amendments for parcels along Rocky Fork/Amaville Road and Blakeney-area properties. Planning staff recommended approval on these items and the council acted in favor after public hearings.

- PRD text amendment (Article 4 Section 4.073): Council adopted an amendment to the zoning ordinance requiring a 20-foot landscaped buffer where a PRD abuts R-1 (in-town) or RM (county) parcels (see separate article). The motion passed unanimously.

- Other zoning amendments and sign ordinance change: The council adopted a package of zoning text amendments, including new language for \"special institutional care facilities\" (added as a conditional use in I-3 heavy industrial) and minor clarifications to the sign ordinance covering illumination and window lighting standards; these were recommended by the planning commission and adopted.

- Consent agenda and contracts: The council approved the consent agenda items including procurement agreements for engineering, street and utility projects, and the annual fireworks agreement. Council pulled a locating-services contract (USIC) after the vendor presented contract exceptions; staff recommended awarding the work to the second-ranked bidder, Benchmark, and the council approved that award.

Votes and procedure: Council conducted roll call at the start of the meeting (seven members present) and took individual votes on each ordinance and resolution; items described above passed on majority motions and seconded votes, with the record reflecting unanimous or near-unanimous approval on contested items.

Ending: Staff and planning recommended follow-up (site inspections, technical plans and coordination with county utilities) on several approvals; multiple items will return to planning or staff for implementation details and building permits.","The Smyrna Town Council approved a slate of annexations and zoning items, adopted a PRD text amendment to require a 20-foot buffer where PRDs abut single-family lots, accepted several consent items and awarded a locating-services contract to the second bidder after negotiations with the low bidder failed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388354,"Smyrna council moves to require 20-foot landscape buffer where new PRDs abut single-family lots after residents press for protection",874,2604000,3478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2&start=2604&end=3478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114699-4b41a8fe5f03a317e7eff733f227d6d2/thumbnail_2604000.jpg","/articles/6388354/Smyrna/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Smyrna-council-moves-to-require-20-foot-landscape-buffer-where-new-PRDs-abut-single-family-lots-after-residents-press-for-protection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388354-8297ddc8f05ba93ffb413969d5824661/orig.mp4?Expires=1775356047&Signature=Cx0KuEIGL3~QK4aU5mpaQI6ZDZYBEkSjGr1w0niYpNqjhXf1ciI67oiQRI4LmmE51R3qD5lQ8TDuj5Dh04Ngc17QL2l3BIVXMsG9imLhdma7oi-ZgRGn8-dw6CVj68sveKSF~6Sd1BrMM5CpXh1MbdAaF6Gi9CO9eh5-voEEGoBAdtPpneeQjpQdI5Y0~jvSiPv-l4u8iyXxHg3PqAgB1jJdUn7uwvNlwkuOligyE7wPETUwi-cZ3gULws1KEELkhd~Cpq63SmvcrE8Uvm72eVkN7gD-16RGWAIMwjGA-qXImchacYzeo7UyJBwpDKjE6xR34RvVmhvnev0oPdMngA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Smyrna Town Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance amendment requiring a 20-foot landscape buffer inside any Planned Residential District (PRD) that borders R-1 single-family zoning in town or comparable RM zoning in Rutherford County.

The change was prompted by repeated public comments from county property owners opposed to the way Weekly (Weekley) Homes had handled buffering at the Hidden Springs development on Lee Road. Several residents said the developer cleared much of the tree line shown on preliminary plats, and that protracted negotiations with the builder had not produced an agreed buffer.

Resident Patrick Beauchene told the council the October 10, 2023 approval of Hidden Springs included a motion asking the developer and the affected homeowners to negotiate a buffer. “We have had nine meetings with the builder since July 2024,” Beauchene said, and he said the parties had been unable to reach an agreement. Dawn Boucherne, who owns property adjacent to the development, said work began on the site in July 2024 and that “the majority of that tree line” she expected to protect was removed before the homeowners were able to negotiate.

What the ordinance does: Planning staff’s amendment adds a specific, 20-foot landscaped buffer requirement to the PRD rules when a proposed PRD abuts R-1 (in-town) or RM (county) parcels. Planning Director Kevin told the council the change codifies a minimum standard rather than leaving mitigation to post-approval negotiation.

Council response and next steps: Counsel and staff told residents the town cannot retroactively change vested approvals for PRDs already approved under previous rules, but council members said the new language will apply going forward and will give future adjacent homeowners clearer protections. Staff said the planning department will review existing plats and implementation as part of enforcement; planning and code staff agreed to inspect the Hidden Springs site and report back to council about whether the developer met the terms of its recorded plat.

Votes and motion: The council voted to adopt the ordinance amendment after a motion and second; roll call earlier in the meeting showed seven council members present and the measure passed with unanimous support.

Ending: Residents said they were grateful the town moved to codify a buffer. Town staff said they will return to the council with site-review findings and will confirm whether the approved plat for Hidden Springs required additional buffering or other improvements.","After months of disagreements between homeowners and a developer over buffer space at Hidden Springs, the council approved an amendment to the town’s Planned Residential District rules that requires a 20-foot landscape buffer where a PRD abuts R-1 or comparable county lots.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Smyrna council for traffic safety fixes on Foxland Drive and Poplarwood; staff pledges striping, signage and review

Votes at a glance: Smyrna council approves annexations, rezonings and PRD amendments

Smyrna council moves to require 20-foot landscape buffer where new PRDs abut single-family lots after residents press for protection