The Wilson County Planning Commission voted 6–3 on Sept. 19 to recommend approval of a rezoning request for 4.66 acres at 3503 Murfreesboro Road and will forward the case to the county commission for final action in November. The owner, David Ussery, requested a land-use amendment from low-density residential to high-intensity commercial and a zoning change from A-1 agricultural to C-3 highway commercial.

County planning staff told the commission the growth plan and land-use map do not designate this area for commercial development and recommended denial. Staff noted, however, that adjacent parcels have been rezoned to commercial or light industrial in recent years and that the commission has set precedent for rezonings in the corridor. Christopher (planning staff) said, “Should the county planning commission or the county commission ultimately decide to approve this request for rezoning, the site plan will be required at the time the property is proposed for development under commercial zoning and all commercial requirements, including permitting, paving, landscaping, building material, and public sewer provisions would apply to this property.”

David Ussery, who said he owns the parcel, told commissioners his plan was to use the existing building as an office and to build a roofed structure behind it for materials and construction equipment. “We wanted to use it for construction offices and be able to house materials in the building behind it,” Ussery said. He acknowledged the property likely will need paving and a sewer variance since public sewer is not available at the site.

Several neighbors opposed the rezoning during public comment. Bob Zenker of 6258 Old Murfreesboro Road described the area as a neighborhood that is losing agricultural and residential land to commercial conversions and urged the commission to protect the community character. “I don't wanna see it. I'm trying to express the fact that I don't think now with the current use plan…that that's the direction that we want to go,” Zenker said. Another resident, Perry Veil, raised the concern that rezoning the parcel to C-3 could allow future uses beyond the current owner's plans if the property were sold.

Commission discussion touched on septic capacity limits, traffic expectations and the difference between C-3 and light-industrial zoning; staff noted C-3 does not allow outdoor storage of heavy equipment but I-1 (light industrial) typically does. Commissioners also discussed that septic variances often limit employees to single-digit counts under existing systems and that any restaurant use would likely be denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals because of sewer constraints.

Mister Jewell moved to recommend approval; after a second the vote was 6 in favor and 3 opposed. The planning commission clerk set the county commission public hearing for Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., per the required 30-day public notice for land-use amendments.