Murfreesboro City Council on April 17 approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions and purchases ranging from zoning and sewer allocations to public-safety equipment and city-school budget adjustments.

The council voted on more than a dozen items during the regularly scheduled meeting, approving first readings of multiple rezoning requests and amending existing planned development and utility conditions. Council also adopted a schools budget amendment and a set of operational purchases funded from departmental budgets or grant sources.

Why it matters: The votes move multiple development projects and operational contracts forward and allocate public funds for maintenance, public safety and school facilities. Several items (sewer capacity and site-plan exceptions) will influence upcoming development reviews at planning commission and administrative levels.

Key outcomes (motions, ordinance/resolution numbers, vote outcomes):
- Ordinance 25-0008 (Cable TV structural change) — second reading: approved (roll called, unanimous). Referenced during old business.
- Ordinance 25-OZ-11 (rezoning 615 East Street; 0.24 acres) — first reading: approved (roll called, unanimous). Planning commission recommended approval.
- Ordinance 25-Z-13 (rezoning/PUD at 1603 & 1607 Greenland Drive) — first reading: approved (roll called, unanimous). Several site exceptions included in pattern book and planning-commission conditions were incorporated.
- Ordinance 25-OZ-12 (Canonsburg Place PCD amendment, Walmart fueling station) — first reading: approved (roll called, unanimous). Proposal adds a fueling station with a 1,600 sq. ft. convenience market and nine pumps; landscaping and lighting commitments added to screen adjacent townhomes.
- Amendment to outside-the-city-sewer conditions for parcels along Epsomel Road/Capitol Way — approved (roll called, unanimous). Conditions: sewer allocation to not exceed previously allocated amount; city equivalent zoning classification of GI (general industrial) to be assigned; Parcel 27 remains grandfathered for sewer as recorded by Water Resources.
- Serial sewer allocation variances for North Thompson Lane: Lot 2 (additional capacity equivalent to 6 single-family units for a proposed restaurant) — approved (roll called; one dissent: Councilmember Maxwell voted Nay). Lot 3 (additional capacity equivalent to 28 single-family units for a proposed restaurant) — approved (roll called; Councilmember Maxwell Nay).
- Ordinance 25-0-14 (amend sign code to allow second-floor tenant signs in PUD/GDO overlays, regulated size/illumination) — first reading: approved (roll called, unanimous). Excludes downtown square; limited to PUD and GDO overlays.
- Resolution 25-R-11 (FY25 city schools budget amendment) — approved (roll called, unanimous). Recognizes $28,000 additional interest revenue and reallocated capital money ($79,700 and $14,000) for technology cabling and furniture/fixtures at school additions/facilities.
- Resolution 25-R-13 (Old Fort Golf Course alcohol rules for special events) — approved (roll called, unanimous). Allows organizers of exclusive-use special events to provide complimentary alcoholic beverages if certified caterer permits/licenses and $1M liability/liquor-liability insurance name the city as additional insured.
- Resolution 25-R-14 (solid waste fee schedule adjustment) — approved (roll called, unanimous). Residential curbside monthly fee increases from $11.50 to $13.50; certain commercial rates adjusted as described by staff.
- Purchase: 48-passenger wheelchair-accessible special education bus — approved (roll called, unanimous). Funded from county share bonds.
- Purchase: two Motorola VESTA 911 command posts ($72,028) — approved (roll called, unanimous). Funded from departmental FY25 operating budget.
- Purchase: 22 additional FLOT public-safety cameras ($488,000) — approved (roll called, unanimous). Funded by violent crime intervention fund grant.
- Multiple water/wastewater and infrastructure contracts and amendments (see itemized list below) — approved (roll called, unanimous unless noted elsewhere).

Votes at a glance (selected tally highlights):
- Numerous roll-call votes were unanimous (city council members recorded “Aye” for the bulk of items). The two sewer allocation variances for North Thompson Lane each recorded a single “Nay” from Councilmember Maxwell; all others present voted Aye.

Next steps and context: Several approved items are on first reading and will return for second reading or be subject to follow-up administrative steps (site-plan submittals, building-permit reviews, and construction contracts). The sewer allocation approvals allow applicants to pursue planning submittals; council members and staff noted traffic concerns at the North Thompson Lane/Sam Walton Drive corridor that will be examined during planning review.

Ending: Council adjourned after approving a special-event permit for First Shot Foundation on April 28 at Old Fort Golf Course and making an appointment to the Murfreesboro Housing Authority.