Planning commission approves Mount Juliet Christian Academy fieldhouse site plan with construction access conditions

The planning commission on Aug. 21 approved the site plan for a new Mount Juliet Christian Academy fieldhouse, a two-building complex totaling about 30,000 square feet on property at 735 North Mount Juliet Road.

Staff described the project as straightforward and supported two waivers requested by the applicant: an architectural façade waiver (some metal is included but primary facades will be masonry to match existing campus buildings) and a parking standard determination because the code does not specify an exact parking requirement for this use; staff judged the 95 proposed spaces sufficient.

Public-works staff and the applicant said the preferred construction entrance would use an existing access through Wilson County Schools property near the athletic fields; written permission from the school board will be required. If the school board does not grant that access, the construction entrance would be off Northwest Rutland Road. The applicant proposed paving the drive aisle through an existing gravel lot now and keeping the gravel overflow parking until later phases; staff described that as an improvement over the current condition but noted final paving and sidewalk connectivity will be required when the parking is built out.

Actions and next steps: Staff recommended and the commission approved the site plan subject to the listed conditions. The applicant will provide written authorization from the Wilson County Schools for the construction entrance or use the alternate entrance; full paving and other improvements will be enforced at permit review.