Planning commission recommends rezoning for 13 townhomes at North Cooper Lake

The Smyrna Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-1 on Sept. 15 to recommend rezoning two parcels at the corner of North Cooper Lake Road and Cooper Lake Road from Limited Commercial (LC) to Townhome Development Conditional (TD) to allow 13 single‑family attached homes on about 2.02 acres. The recommendation will go to Mayor and Council on Oct. 20 for final action.

The project proposes 13 rear‑entry townhomes at a density of 6.44 units per acre. Staff described the requested variances as reductions in front setbacks (from 25 feet to 23 feet on North Cooper Lake and to 10 feet on Cooper Lake Road), side setbacks to 10 feet, a rear setback of 30 feet, and a reduction in side‑to‑side building separation from 20 feet to 16 feet. Staff recommended approval with standard conditions, including underground utilities, tree‑ordinance compliance, sodded common areas and required traffic and drainage improvements, and several site‑specific conditions such as a 20‑foot sanitary easement across the front of the property, a retaining wall at the rear, installation of a crosswalk and ADA ramps at the North Cooper Lake/Cooper Lake Road intersection, and curb and gutter along Cooper Lake Road for the length of the development.

Joey Staubs, planner II with Smyrna Community Development, presented the application and enumerated the conditions and the variances the applicant requested. Attorney Josh Mahoney, representing Arc 1 Construction Company, said the units will be for sale, use “high quality materials,” and be front‑facing on North Cooper Lake Road so pedestrians see front doors rather than garage backs. Mahoney told the commission, “I just ask that you all vote in accordance with the staff recommendation of approval with conditions.”

A point of discussion centered on condition 11, which holds developers responsible for repairing road degradation caused by construction vehicles. Mahoney asked how degradation would be determined and who would make that determination. Rusty Martin, Smyrna community development director, described the standard city practice: “we'll take inventory of the road, document it with pictures and its condition,” and address any repairs as part of pre‑construction documentation and final assessment. Martin added that crews handle required milling where roads are cut for utility hookups.

Two members of the public spoke in favor. Sean Murphy, 3282 Lee Street, said the site is an appropriate transition between an office building and a fire station and that the project “looks like a pretty nice product.” Gavin Van Winger, who lives on North Cooper Lake Road, said the vacant lot “just looks bad,” and supported building townhomes there.

The commission closed the public hearing and approved the rezoning recommendation by a 5‑1 vote. The record did not specify the motion maker; Commissioner Seagraves was recorded as second. The recommendation will be considered by Mayor and Council on Oct. 20.

If Mayor and Council approves the rezoning, required conditions noted by staff — including the crosswalk and ADA ramps, right‑of‑way dedication, underground utilities, tree protections, curb and gutter along Cooper Lake Road, and the developer responsibility clause for road degradation — will guide final site plan approval and any required permits.