U Store It site plan in Burns tabled after questions on lighting and access

The Dickson County Planning Commission on April 10 tabled consideration of the site plan for a proposed U Store It self-storage facility at 3066 Highway 70 East in Burns to the commission’s next meeting so the applicant can submit a corrected site plan.

Planning staff noted the 1.67-acre property (tax map 101, parcel 16.02) had been recently rezoned from C-2 to C-1 to allow self-storage. The submitted site plan shows a chain-link fence and indicates use of a Type C Option 3 landscaping buffer combined with existing vegetation.

During discussion a commissioner said he had concerns about “light pollution with the neighboring homes” and questioned whether the fence along the eastern side nearest a residence should be upgraded to a privacy fence. The transcript records the comment verbatim: “I have concerns regarding light pollution with the neighboring homes.” That speaker is not identified by name in the transcript; the comment was recorded during the agenda item discussion.

Another commissioner asked how the front units nearest Highway 70 would be accessed, noting the plan did not clearly show a roadway between the driveway and the first row of buildings. Planning staff described the proposed fixtures as “shoebox style” lights intended to direct illumination to the ground and noted the landscaping buffer would lie inside the fence line.

A motion to table the item until the next meeting carried on a voice vote. Chair Robert Qualls explained the commission’s practice: “When we table something, we have to vote on it at the next meeting... And if nothing is decided, then by default, they get what they're asking for.” The transcript records the chair’s explanation that tabling schedules the item for the next agenda and that the commission must then act at that meeting.

No formal conditions or revised plan were adopted at the April 10 meeting; the commission requested a corrected site plan for review at the next meeting.