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Planning Commission approves Smyrna Soccer Complex site plan after parking debate
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a site plan for a small-field indoor soccer facility on Eden Springs Road East after discussion over whether the 76 on-site parking spaces will meet peak demand.
The Smyrna Municipal Planning Commission voted June 5 to approve the site plan for the Smyrna Soccer Complex on Eden Springs Road East, subject to staff comments, after an extended discussion about parking and operational assumptions.
Kevin (planning staff) told commissioners the applicant had increased on-site parking from about 69 spaces to 76 and met landscaping and design-review requirements. Staff continued to flag parking as the principal unresolved concern because the facility’s activity pattern—short games and turnover between sessions—could create periods when on-site spaces are fully occupied.
Chris McGuire, the project engineer with Huddleston Steel Engineering, said the applicant reduced the storage area and added spaces after earlier commission feedback. McGuire described the proposed fields as small 4-v-4 youth fields and told the commission, "we've made some pretty drastic changes to the site trying to get these additional spaces." He and staff estimated typical field occupancy of about 16–20 players per field and said staffing levels would be low (one or two concession/staff positions plus referees).
Commissioners discussed enforcement options if on-site parking proved insufficient after approval: overflow parking on adjoining property would be a code violation, and the police department could enforce illegal on-street parking. Commissioners also compared Smyrna’s parking standard to other municipalities and noted that many nearby facilities face similar constraints.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the plan with staff comments; the motion passed. The approval is conditioned on the staff comments in the planning packet (which include submittal of required utility line-size information, recording of a combination plat before permits, and final landscaping and fire-flow conditions).
Why it matters: The project creates recreational capacity for youth and adult users but raises concerns about traffic and parking impacts on neighboring streets and properties. Commissioners balanced operational assumptions presented by the applicant against the town’s general parking standards and enforcement mechanisms.
What to watch for: If parking demand exceeds the on-site supply, staff said enforcement options include code enforcement and police response; the commission also noted it could revisit similar parking issues for future facilities.
