Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Pcd topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves Las Casas Crossings PCD; staff and neighbors discuss traffic, berm and right‑in/right‑out access
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a plan development (PCD) for the Las Casas Crossings corner that includes a Valvoline and other commercial uses; staff and residents discussed traffic management, a required right‑in/right‑out restriction, and a 15‑foot landscape berm to screen garage doors.
The Murfreesboro Planning Commission on Jan. 8 recommended approval of the Las Casas Crossings planned commercial development (PCD), which would develop several commercial parcels at the corner of Old Las Casas Pike, Rutherford Boulevard and North Westborough Boulevard and include an automotive service (Valvoline) and other commercial uses.
City planning staff and the applicant's engineer, Clyde Rountree of Hubbell & Steele Engineering, described the site as bounded by three major roadways and noted the application covers a 4‑acre phase within a larger 9‑acre master plan. Rountree said the Valvoline design was revised to improve architecture because "those doors may be visible" from the right of way, and staff requested an enhanced berm and landscaping along Old Las Casas Pike to soften garage door visibility.
Resident Leslie Dodd, who lives nearby, urged commissioners to consider traffic and children's safety on Old Las Casas, noting heavy speeding and school bus stops along the corridor. Staff and the applicant said the city's traffic division required right‑in/right‑out access at certain points and that developers will construct a required access connection that must meet TDOT and city standards; Bill Huddleston of Huddleston Steel Engineering confirmed the developer will build the shared access if the Valvoline or Murphy Oil proceeds.
Commissioners approved the project subject to staff comments. The recorded vote was unanimous: Miss Abelwater — yes; Mr. Carroll — yes; Mr. Harris — yes; Vice Chair Halliburton — yes; Mr. Prince — yes; Mr. Wright — yes; Chair Jones — yes.
The applicant must complete site plan work, obtain required permits (including any TDOT permits for driveway/culvert work), and meet the landscaping and berming requirements as the project moves to city council and later to permitting and construction.
