Smyrna Town Council members heard detailed presentations July 21 on a request from Hamilton Development LLC to annex and zone 178.6 acres along West Jefferson Pike (State Route 266) and Hickory Grove Road, with a revised commercial footprint and a developer-funded greenway.

The request would annex multiple parcels and apply C-2 (commercial) zoning along Jefferson Pike and I-1 (industrial) zoning on the balance, with the developer now identifying roughly 28–30 acres for commercial uses. Jeff Knechstian of Hamilton Development Company told the council the commercial acreage increase is to “add some depth” to allow larger buildings and to accommodate two or more hotels.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing, reviewed a revised concept plan and unanimously recommended approval; staff also recommended approval. Kevin, a planning staff member, said the commission’s revised zoning plan increases the C-2 acreage by about 6.37 acres compared with earlier materials and that the applicant submitted a greenway plan after the council’s prior review.

Why it matters: the project fronts a state route and an interstate interchange and will change land use and service needs for a sizable corridor. Council members focused on traffic access points, utility extensions, and the proposed greenway.

Key details from the presentation and discussion:
- Developer presentation: Jeff Knechstian (Hamilton Development Company) said the concept plan adapts uses from Sam Ridley Parkway designs and adds interior roads and depth to commercial parcels to improve marketability. He said the greenway will be approximately 1.85 miles long now, with possibly another half-mile if adjacent properties develop, and estimated the greenway construction cost will “cost more than $2,000,000.”
- Planning/engineering: Kevin (planning staff) summarized the land-use plan along Jefferson Pike (the “I-40 Gateway” care area) supporting mixed hospitality, retail and light industrial uses within 400–1,200 feet of the Pike. He said the Planning Commission recommended approval of the revised zoning boundary and concept plan.
- Traffic and access: Council members asked about proposed new curb cuts (“drive cuts”) onto Jefferson Pike; staff said any state-right-of-way access would require TDOT approval and will be informed by the required traffic impact study.
- Utilities and services: Kevin said the town would provide services upon annexation and reiterated developers are expected to construct required utilities and dedicate right-of-way; staff said no town-funded utility extensions were planned for the developer’s benefit.
- Greenway specifics: The developer said the greenway is primarily on developer property and includes overlooks to the river; the town would need to coordinate permitting with the Corps of Engineers and would assume maintenance if accepted as a town greenway.

Discussion versus decision: the workshop discussion updated councilmembers on the revised commercial acreage, the submitted greenway concept and the need for traffic studies and utility coordination. Multiple council members asked for draft sight-line renderings; the developer agreed to provide updated renderings to council before the next meeting. The item was on second reading; no final town vote appears in the workshop transcript.

Clarifying details: Planning staff called out that the Planning Commission’s recommendations were unanimous and that the submitted greenway plan was provided after the prior council meeting. The developer said the commercial acreage figure would be updated on formal resubmission.

Next steps and outlook: staff and the developer agreed to provide the council with revised renderings, traffic studies and the updated commercial-area map in advance of the next meeting and to advance the annexation/rezoning through the required ordinance process.