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Board approves temporary fireworks tent at 6237 Shelbyville Pike with conditions
Summary
The Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a temporary special exception allowing a 40-by-20 fireworks tent at 6237 Shelbyville Pike from June 20 through July 5, with conditions on placement, parking and signage.
The Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a temporary special exception to allow the sale of fireworks at 6237 Shelbyville Pike, subject to conditions requiring compliance with county sign rules, parking limitations and other state and local regulations.
Staff told the board the application is for a 1.42-acre parcel in the Commercial General (CG) zoning district and would allow a 40-by-20-foot fireworks tent from June 20 through July 5, with operation permitted until midnight on July 4. "We recommend approval of this request, provided that they remain in compliance with the standards for fireworks sales tents, that they comply with the signage regulations," the planning staff said.
The nut graf: the approval allows a temporary retail operation tied to a traditional sales window around the July 4 holiday but imposes site-specific conditions the board emphasized to limit impacts to the surrounding commercial lot and public right-of-way.
Board members and staff emphasized three practical constraints as part of the approval: the tent must be at least 40 feet from the property line, off-street parking must be located entirely outside the public right-of-way, and any temporary signage must comply with chapter 12 of the Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance. Staff also noted the tent and sales must meet applicable state regulations enforced by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office and other agencies.
Applicant Jerry Slater said he had procured state-level permissions and business registrations before seeking board approval: "I've got all the required permits from the State Fire Marshal's office. Permits from the county because I wanted to see if it was approved through the board first before I continued any further. I've got my State Fire Marshal's license. My certificates from the Secretary of State for my, this sell and resell of fireworks... I have all that paperwork here with me if anybody needs it." Slater told the board he planned to reserve 24 parking spaces for customers and move them as needed to avoid vehicles staging on State Route 231.
During discussion, board members asked whether the tent would sit on pavement or grass and whether it would require a gravel base; staff confirmed tents must follow the fireworks-tent regulations and noted state enforcement. Staff reported receiving only informational calls and no opposition from nearby residents. The board opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing.
The roll-call vote recorded six affirmative votes and one negative vote (Renee Curtis). The board approved the special exception with the conditions listed in the staff report and directed that the applicant obtain any required permits from other agencies prior to operation.
The board clerk reminded applicants that temporary sales at the site must remain in compliance with county zoning requirements and any additional state permits; enforcement of fireworks safety and storage remains under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office.
Less-critical details: staff noted the aerial images in the packet predated the recent paving of the lot and said inspectors would verify parking layouts and tent placement prior to issuance of any county permits.
