The Smyrna Town Council on July 8 approved annexation and a zoning plan for about 178.6 acres south of West Jefferson Pike that the town's planning staff and the Planning Commission had recommended for mixed commercial and light‑industrial uses.

The council accepted the developer's revised plan, which zones roughly 23.6 acres along West Jefferson Pike as C2 (commercial) and the remaining approximately 155 acres as I1 (light industrial). Planning staff described the parcel as lying within the town's 840 Gateway character area, which the land‑use plan envisions for a mix of hospitality, retail, restaurant, higher‑density residential and industrial/office uses along the Jefferson Pike corridor.

Why it matters: The annexation and zoning decision shape development opportunities along a major Smyrna corridor and will guide what kinds of jobs and commercial services the town can attract to the Jefferson Pike gateway.

Developer presentation and commitments: Jeff Knechtian of Hamilton Development Company told council the firm plans a "high quality business park" of office/warehouse buildings with tilt‑wall concrete and substantial glass and landscaping. "We're not gonna be your big bulk industrial buildings," Knechtian said, showing renderings and examples of similar projects the company has built in Rutherford County. He described tenants such as corporate offices and manufacturers with office components, and he said the developer would commit to higher design standards and was "absolutely willing to incorporate" amenities such as walking trails along the creek buffer.

Planning review and council concerns: The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval with a revised zoning plan after discussion about a small parcel near Jefferson Pike and access geometry. Planners noted some narrow strips of land along the right‑of‑way and existing tributaries and buffers that will affect layout. Council members pressed the developer and staff about possible commercial depth along the Pike, access points and whether commercial parcels would be deep enough for restaurants, gas stations or other highway‑front uses. Several council members said they preferred commercial at the front of the property with higher‑quality industrial/office behind.

Traffic and access: Council, staff and the developer discussed the need for coordinated traffic analysis and potential signalization where new access points intersect Jefferson Pike. Town staff said TDOT has requested an overall build‑out plan for the State Route 102 corridor and is reviewing state‑route impacts separately; the developer and staff said they are coordinating with TDOT on turn‑lane and signal needs.

Environmental and greenway coordination: Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate the project with the town's greenway planning, noting that a Greenway corridor had been discussed previously and that development should preserve or help fund connections where appropriate. Staff said streams and required buffers run through parts of the site and that those features will shape final plats and site‑plan layout.

Decision and next steps: After a motion to approve with staff comments, the council voted in favor by voice vote. The annexation clears the way for later subdivision, site‑plan and phase‑by‑phase building approvals. The developer indicated the project will be phased — likely multiple buildings at a time — and said early buildings will set design expectations for later phases.

Ending: Council members said they expected to continue work with the developer on more detailed site plans, access geometry and greenway connections as the project proceeds through subdivision and site‑plan review.