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Board hears accessory-dwelling-unit conversion at 115 North Clearview Drive; staff recommends approval
Summary
A homeowner seeks a special exception to convert a detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 115 North Clearview Drive in the RM zone; staff found it meets ADU criteria and recommended approval.
The Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals considered a request to convert an existing detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 115 North Clearview Drive in an RM zoning district. Planning staff recommended approval, finding the proposal meets the ordinance criteria aside from the design standard exception requested.
The applicant's representative, Caris Bussell, said the unit is intended to be the primary residence for her retired mother-in-law and not a short‑term rental: "We're not planning on changing anything to the exterior. Just update the interior with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen, and No monetary gain. We're not using it for Airbnb purposes or any commercial reasons, just for her to have a space to retire." She stated the ADU would be approximately 1,000 square feet.
Staff noted the property is a 0.57-acre parcel in the RM zone and that the applicant had been advised about septic-soil requirements; the applicant indicated intent to eliminate one bedroom in the primary dwelling as part of the conversion process. Staff said they received only informational calls and no opposition after neighbors learned the project involved modifying an existing structure, so they recommended approval.
The board opened the matter for public hearing and then considered a motion to approve. The minutes record a motion to approve the request; the transcript does not include a clear roll-call vote on the record in the provided excerpt. The file will move forward subject to any standard permits and verification of septic and other utility-site requirements prior to final occupancy.
Background context: accessory dwelling units are allowed by special exception in the county’s RM zoning when certain design standards are met or waived; the board's review focuses on preserving neighborhood character while permitting smaller, accessory housing units.
Less-critical detail: staff will verify septic suitability and other code requirements prior to issuing permits for occupancy.
