Planning Commission approves six final plats, sends three rezoning recommendations to Board of Mayor and Aldermen

The Planning Commission voted unanimously April 21 to approve six final plats that will create new lots across multiple subdivisions and to send favorable recommendations on three rezoning requests to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The actions included final plats for Stillwater Phase 3 and 4; Sagewood Phase 1; the Pines; a Parish McKellar lot split on Cedar Lane; James Tate final plat on Ledford Mill Road; and the Beckett Rees final plat on Avoca Road. Commissioners also voted to recommend rezoning 208 West Deckard from R2 (medium-density residential) to R3 (high-density residential), to recommend rezoning 115 North Collins Avenue from C2 (general commercial) to C3 (neighborhood commercial), and to recommend rezoning the newly created Parish McKellar parcel from I1 (restricted industrial/warehousing) to R1 (low-density residential). All formal votes recorded in the transcript passed 6–0.

Staff reported that the Stillwater Phase 3 and 4 final plat has cleared most engineering comments and that Public Works expects the developer to post required bonds and finish paving, curbs and sidewalks before final acceptance. Planning staff said remaining lots in Stillwater will be sold after this final plat is recorded.

For Sagewood Phase 1, staff and the developer told the commission that the subdivision was split into two phases to allow the sale of lots 1–30 and 67–98 while a pump station purchased for phase 2 is already paid for. Public Works and the developer confirmed a temporary turnaround will remain in place to maintain trash service and that the turnaround meets fire and collection requirements.

The Pines final plat was revised after staff insisted that two drainage areas be retained in common area so they can be maintained. Planning staff circulated the revised final plat and reported that Public Works has approved the project’s progress on asphalt, curbs and other public facilities.

The Parish McKellar final plat creates a new residential-sized lot at 1311 Cedar Lane; planners noted the parcel is currently zoned industrial and will be considered for rezoning later in the meeting so its zoning matches surrounding R1 lots. James Tate’s final plat splits a 5.64-acre tract into two lots of nearly equal size; staff said there were no conflicts with utilities or easements. The Beckett Rees final plat creates a flag lot to provide access to the remainder parcel; staff noted the required building location is depicted relative to the nearest fire hydrant so a typical house footprint would meet fire-distance requirements.

During the public-comments period, Fran Gray, who identified herself as an employee of Alzheimer’s Tennessee, asked about having a sign fee waived for a nonprofit event, the Purple Olympics on May 3. Staff told Gray to complete the application and drop it at the planning office for processing.

All six final-plat approvals were made on motions reported in the transcript and recorded as passed 6–0. The three rezoning items that received favorable recommendations will go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for final action.

Votes at a glance

- Stillwater Phase 3 & 4 final plat — Motion to approve by Mayor Seaborn; second by Mr. Rice; outcome: approved (6–0). Note: Public Works requires paved phases and bonds before final acceptance.

- Sagewood Phase 1 final plat — Motion to approve by Mr. Rice; second by Mr. Hall; outcome: approved (6–0). Note: Subdivision split into two phases; pump station for phase 2 already purchased; temporary turnaround to remain for service.

- Pines (final plat) — Motion to approve by Mr. Hall; second by Mr. Rice; outcome: approved (6–0). Note: Drainage areas restored to common area per staff direction.

- Parish McKellar final plat (1311 Cedar Lane) — Motion to approve by Mr. Sellers; second by Mayor Seaborn; outcome: approved (6–0). Note: parcel will be considered later for rezoning.

- James Tate final plat (Ledford Mill Road) — Motion to approve by Mr. Hall; second by Mr. Sellers; outcome: approved (6–0).

- Beckett Rees final plat (Avoca Road) — Motion to approve by Mr. Comer; second by Mr. Hall; outcome: approved (6–0). Note: house placement shown to meet 600-foot fire-hydrant radius.

- Zoning map amendment 303 (208 West Deckard: R2→R3) — Motion to send a favorable recommendation by Mayor Seaborn; second by Mr. Hall; outcome: favorable recommendation to Board of Mayor and Aldermen (6–0). Purpose: allow subdivision into two lots smaller than R2’s 10,000 sq ft minimum by using R3’s 7,500 sq ft minimum.

- Zoning map amendment 306 (115 North Collins Avenue: C2→C3) — Motion to send a favorable recommendation by Mr. Comer; second by Mr. Sellers; outcome: favorable recommendation to Board of Mayor and Aldermen (6–0). Purpose: allow the property to be used as a single-family residence while retaining commercial viability.

- Zoning map amendment 307 (Parish McKellar: I1→R1) — Motion to send a favorable recommendation by Mr. Sellers; second by Mr. Rice; outcome: favorable recommendation to Board of Mayor and Aldermen (6–0). Note: parcel had just been created earlier in the meeting and did not yet have a tax ID number.

The commission set its next meeting for Monday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m. and adjourned.

Ending: Planning staff and commissioners said public-works checks and standard bonding remain part of the final-plat acceptance process and that rezoning approvals forwarded by the commission require final action by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.