Planning Commission approves UDO modification for Tennessee Nature Academy site, removes Patcham Drive through-connection

The Planning Commission approved a modification to the Carothers Crossing Urban Design Overlay (UDO) that removes a required public street through-connection between Clement Street and Patcham Drive and instead allows a private access drive from Clement Street for the proposed Tennessee Nature Academy (TNA) school site.

Sarah Cook, presenting for planning staff, summarized the modification: the applicant withdrew a prior request to use Fairchild Circle and revised their design to provide access from Clement Street. Staff recommended approval with conditions after analysis found the site contains sensitive environmental features (three wetlands, a stream with a 30-foot buffer and steep topography) and that those constraints aligned with the overlay’s allowance for variations “where physical site constraints exist.” Cook also reported that Metro Parks does not support a private drive through the adjacent Cane Ridge Park because a new drive would likely…