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Commission approves Cedar Stone Park phase 2; commissioners debate sidewalk connection to Cedar Hills
Summary
The commission approved the Parks Department’s Cedar Stone Park Phase 2 site plan, adding four ball fields, a maintenance building and expanded parking. Commissioners and parks staff discussed a possible sidewalk connection to the Cedar Hills neighborhood and funding/timing concerns.
The Smyrna Municipal Planning Commission approved the Phase 2 site plan for Cedar Stone Park on Morton Lane on June 5, clearing the way for a maintenance building, four new ball fields, a walking trail and expanded parking.
Kevin (planning staff) said the proposal adds about 4.1 acres of vehicular use area and shows 310 new spaces for a site total of 649 spaces; the applicant’s landscape calculations exceeded the minimum requirement. Staff reported that technical comments about utilities, fire hydrant location and a third-party hydrologic study would be addressed prior to permitting and recommended approval with the remaining standard comments.
Ryan Chambley of Thomas & Hutton, the consultant on the project, told the commission the eastern connection to Cedar Hills would be feasible but that design complications — drainage ditches, power poles and topography — likely push any pedestrian connection into a later phase. Chambley said constructing the sidewalk would likely require converting open ditches to underground pipe, which would lengthen design and construction timelines. Mike Maravineau of Smyrna Parks and Recreation said the parks department and town staff have discussed options and plan to ask the town manager about scope and funding before committing to building the connector with this phase.
Commissioners praised the parks staff for the department’s attention to detail. Commissioners and staff discussed cost escalation and construction constraints: staff said project costs have risen roughly 20% from earlier estimates and noted the property contains extensive rock, which can require blasting and add cost and time.
Commissioners approved the site plan with staff comments. Discussion about a short sidewalk link and possible later inclusion in the project concluded with staff saying they will present options and funding implications to the town manager for direction.
Why it matters: Phase 2 expands Smyrna’s recreational capacity and addresses long-standing demand for fields, but neighborhood connectivity and pedestrian access remain unresolved and could require additional funding and design work.
What to watch for: Staff indicated the project timeline could be about 18 months and that the town manager will be asked to weigh funding and scope for a sidewalk connector to Cedar Hills; any decision to add sidewalks, underground drainage or a pedestrian bridge will affect cost and schedule.
