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Council to consider zoning text amendment to allow and regulate special institutional care facilities
Summary
Staff said a text amendment to the municipal zoning ordinance would define and regulate 'special institutional care facilities' and allow them by special exception in I‑3 heavy industrial districts after meeting conditions; the change was triggered by a developer inquiry about locating a group home in Smyrna.
Planning staff briefed the Town Council workshop on a text amendment to multiple sections of the Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance to define, classify and set conditions for special institutional care facilities (including a definition of 'group shelter').
Kevin (planning staff) said the ordinance currently contained conditions for special institutional care facilities but did not allow the use in any zoning district; the amendment would correct that by adding a definition, creating a parking requirement, allowing the use as a special exception in the I‑3 heavy industrial district, and amending special conditions the use must meet. Kevin said the change was prompted by a request from an entity exploring locating a group home in Smyrna and that the planning commission recommended approval.
Councilmembers asked technical questions about the review process; Kevin noted that the request prompted staff to identify the gap because no previous applicants had asked about the use in his tenure. The workshop did not record a formal adoption; the ordinance is at second reading and will be placed on the council meeting for final action.
