Planning Commission approves annexation and Robinson Bend PRD for 83 new homes along Old Salem Road

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission on Sept. 3 voted to recommend annexation of about 22.5 acres along Veterans Parkway and Old Salem Road and to rezone the Robinson property to a Planned Residential District (PRD) called Robinson Bend, a development that the applicant says would provide 83 dwelling units: 52 single-family detached lots and 31 single-family attached units.

City planner Richard Donovan told the commission the annexation petition covers four parcels, three of which are city remnants from the Veterans Parkway project and one owned by Randall and Deborah Robinson. Donovan said the study area ‘‘is within our urban growth boundary and within the service infill area,’’ and that staff supports annexation because services can be extended, with ‘‘the lone exception being sanitary sewer,’’ which the developer must extend through coordination with neighboring property owners. Donovan said there is no current timeline for that sewer extension and that it will be the developer’s responsibility.

The accompanying PRD rezoning application, presented by Rob Molchan on behalf of Summit Development LLC and the Robinsons, proposes 83 units on about 19.26 acres: 52 detached homes on minimum 6,000-square-foot lots (50-foot widths) with at least 1,400 square feet of living area, and 31 attached (townhome/HPR) units with a minimum of 1,200 square feet. Molchan said the plan provides roughly 30% open space, exceeds the 20% minimum, and includes amenities such as open play areas and a soccer field. The plan calls for three future access points in addition to an Old Salem Road entrance and proposes landscape buffers along adjacent parcels.

Molchan and staff described a few exceptions in the PRD: reduced on‑lot parking for some attached units (the developer will restrict garages to vehicle parking only by covenant), and a modified parking layout that staff had asked be improved. Fire‑truck turning templates for the private alleys were provided to staff, who indicated they allow emergency vehicle access. Donovan also told commissioners that the future land‑use map designates the area Auto Urban Residential (AUR), which allows densities of about 4–12 units per acre and can permit attached housing if certain criteria are met; staff concluded the proposal is consistent with the AUR designation.

Commissioners asked about buffers, parking depth, and proximity to Veterans Parkway. Molchan confirmed interior townhome garages are single‑car but deep enough to hold two cars staggered in the driveway plus one in the garage; exterior units have two‑car garages. He said some guest parking was added at the southern townhome cluster after prior commission concerns and that a temporary cul de sac was removed to create additional spaces. On the south side near Veterans Parkway, Molchan said the townhome backyards face the adjacent property and that, under current zoning patterns, a particular buffer between single‑family detached lots and commercial‑highway zoning is not required.

Action: Commissioners moved and seconded approval ‘‘subject to all staff comments.’’ The roll call recorded Vice Chair Abel Water, Carroll, Harris, Prince, Rollins, Wright and Chair Halliburton voting aye; the motion passed.

Why it matters: The annexation and rezoning clear the way for a mixed single‑family project along a busy corridor; city staff noted sewer extension is a developer responsibility and a prerequisite for full service extension. The commission’s recommendation will go to City Council for final action.

Votes at a glance: Annexation recommendation — approved by Planning Commission (7–0). Robinson Bend PRD rezoning recommendation — approved by Planning Commission (7–0).

Provenance: Transcript discussion and presentations by Richard Donovan and Rob Molchan; public hearing opened for both annexation and PRD and closed with no public speakers. The commission’s votes and recorded aye responses appear in the transcript after staff and applicant presentations.

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