Planning commission defers Burdette Road sports complex after parking, circulation concerns

The Planning Commission voted Aug. 20 to defer consideration of a rezoning and site changes for a proposed multi‑sports recreational complex at 2370 Burdette Road (E25‑025) after staff and neighbors raised questions about parking, setbacks and pedestrian safety.

Planning staff recommended denial, citing issues with the submitted site plan. Applicant Shatori Phillips and project representative Tyrone McCrae told the commission the project would provide regular programming, senior shuttles and use overflow parking at a nearby church for occasional tournaments. Neighbors expressed concerns about insufficient on‑site parking, the safety of crossing Old National Highway and possible spillover parking onto nearby residential streets.

During public comment, neighbors Michael Venable and Alvin Reynolds urged the commission to require a revised site plan showing how parking, drop‑off circulation and pedestrian crossings would work for large events. The applicant volunteered to hire off‑duty officers, run shuttle buses from the church parking across the street for larger events and make other traffic‑management improvements. Commissioners suggested the applicant request a deferral to revise the plan and provide more documentation.

The commission accepted staff’s findings of fact and then voted to defer the application to the Sept. 16 planning commission meeting so the applicant can update the site plan, respond to parking and setback concerns and return with additional detail on off‑site parking and event operations.

The applicant said most daily programming would not require the church overflow lot and that shuttle service and staffed traffic control would be used for larger tournaments.

Next steps: applicant to revise the site plan, provide a parking and circulation plan and return to the Sept. 16 planning commission meeting for further consideration.