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BZA approves accessory apartment at 2505 Racquet Club Drive with recorded use restriction
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a special use permit to allow a 693‑square‑foot accessory apartment at 2505 Racquet Club Drive, subject to conditions including a recorded restriction limiting occupancy to family members or invited guests and no separate utility meters or mailbox.
The City of Murfreesboro Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 approved a special use permit to allow a detached accessory apartment at 2505 Racquet Club Drive. The board approved the application subject to staff‑recommended conditions, including a recorded restriction of land use that limits occupancy to family members or invited guests.
Staff said the proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) complies with dimensional standards for an RS‑15 district: the ADU would be 693 square feet (under the 700‑square‑foot limit), 14.5 feet high (under the 35‑foot limit) and meet required setbacks. Planning staff recommended that the owner occupy one of the two units and that the city attorney prepare a recorded restriction so future owners are on notice of the ADU’s non‑rental limitations.
John Hannington, presenting on behalf of owner Killian Dietz, said the accessory unit will be used to keep family members nearby; Hannington told the board, "I thank you for your time, and I know these things are personal for us." Owner Killian (spoke as Gillian) Dietz described caretaking responsibilities for relatives and noted the property is generally maintained.
Staff proposed and the board adopted several conditions: the owner must occupy at least one unit; the city attorney will record a restriction on the deed limiting occupancy to family members or invited guests and prohibiting rental to nonfamily members; no separate utility meters or separate mailbox shall be installed; an all‑weather walkway connecting the garage and the ADU shall be provided; and all required building and fire permits must be obtained.
A prior public comment email raised routine property maintenance concerns; the owner addressed those concerns in the meeting and said grass height and storm debris explained the photos in the complaint. After a brief public comment period with no in‑person opposition, a board member moved to approve the special use permit subject to staff conditions; the motion carried on a recorded roll call vote with the board voting aye.
The recorded restriction will be filed with the register of deeds, so subsequent purchasers will take title with the occupancy limitation in place. Staff noted the restriction recording has been used for several years to ensure ADU use remains consistent with zoning rules and to avoid a retroactive requirement to physically alter structures after property transfer.
