Planning commission moves to annex most of Middle Point landfill property; narrows right‑of‑way area after transportation review

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission on May 7 held a public hearing and recommended approval of a study‑area annexation covering roughly 843 acres that include BFI/Republic’s Middle Point landfill and surrounding property. The recommendation reflected a staff proposal but was modified to remove right‑of‑way north of Walter Hill Park at the Transportation Department’s request.

City administration told the commission it had asked staff to study annexing the property to bring the site into the city’s land‑use and code jurisdiction. Assistant/representative Sam Huddleston explained the city’s objectives: to subject the property to Murfreesboro zoning, building, stormwater and property‑maintenance codes for any new or non‑landfill development, and to provide the city greater oversight of operations that are not protected by the 1995 service agreement.

Huddleston and City Manager representatives said the annexation is not being pursued to facilitate an expansion of the landfill and that, contractually, the city cannot interfere with landfill operations that are authorized by state permits. The city attorney, Adam Tucker, confirmed there is pending litigation involving BFI/Republic Services and that the city has Clean Water Act claims included in that litigation; because the litigation is active the attorney declined to discuss specifics but said those claims are part of the public record.

Public comment at the hearing was strongly in favor of annexation. Sean McGowan said residents want oversight of the landfill and cited a 1995 host agreement that limited local oversight; McGowan said Republic’s stated opposition to annexation reinforced his view. Kenneth Byrd, who lives near the landfill, described historic pollution of the river and asked whether annexation would improve water quality; City Attorney Adam Tucker said he could not discuss litigation specifics in the public hearing but confirmed the city has pending Clean Water Act claims in its lawsuit.

Staff noted practical service issues: sanitary sewer service is limited at the site (the existing private pump handles landfill leachate), and the Fire Department recommended purchasing a 4x4 multipurpose pumper/rescue apparatus to access remote areas if the property is annexed. Staff also recommended the commission consider Transportation’s request to remove public right‑of‑way north of Walter Hill Park from the study area to avoid annexing the skewed intersection and a school zone near Walter Hill Elementary; the commission accepted the transportation recommendation and approved the annexation study area with that modification.

The commission’s recommendation will go to City Council. If Council approves annexation, staff said portions currently zoned heavy industrial in the county would initially receive an interim city classification (staff cited RS‑15 interim classification for some area) while the city determines appropriate permanent zoning; new non‑landfill development would be subject to city zoning, building, stormwater and property‑maintenance codes. City officials told the commission the modest projected property‑tax revenue (staff estimated less than $40,000 per year under current valuations) was not the prime motive for annexation.

Commissioners asked staff to prepare the revised plan of services and study‑area map reflecting Transportation’s edits before forwarding the item to council. The commission voted in favor of the revised study‑area annexation by roll call.