Planning Commission approves Farrington signs, landscaping, amenity center and preliminary plat; several routine approvals unanimous

The Nolensville Planning Commission on July 8 approved a bundle of development and design items, mostly for the Farrington plan development, and handled several routine items by unanimous votes.

Staff presented a monument sign plan for Farrington describing a 12‑foot obelisk‑style pillar clad in stone veneer with a limestone cap and a wrought‑iron blade sign with the Farrington logo. Town staff found the proposed design compatible with the previously approved master sign plan and recommended approval; the commission voted unanimously to approve the monument sign plan.

The commission also approved a phase 1 landscape amendment for Farrington that reflects "as‑installed" conditions, including additional specimen tree replacements to offset trees removed during utility installation. Staff recommended approval with one condition; commissioners approved the amendment unanimously.

On the Farrington amenity center, staff described a site plan for the main community amenity on about 4.9 acres featuring a fitness center, Founders Lawn (an event lawn), a pool with a lap section and pool bar, a pool house with restrooms, a playground, walking trails, a sand play area, a half basketball court, a tennis court, four pickleball courts and a dog park. Staff noted architectural elevations were omitted from the packet and recommended approval subject to staff comments and inclusion of the architectural drawings. Catherine, the project's architect, told the commission the team had calculated on‑street (unstriped) parking as linear footage and said, "We do feel like it's sufficient because of where we've located the amenity within the community." The commission approved the amenity center site plan unanimously and added the staff conditions.

The commission approved the Farrington preliminary plat for Phase 3A, which creates 72 single‑family residential lots and six open‑space/civic lots; staff found the preliminary plat consistent with the approved PUD concept and recommended approval with conditions listed in the staff report. The motion carried unanimously. The applicant asked to postpone the Farrington final PD site plan; the planning commission granted that postponement by unanimous vote so the developer can return with the final materials.

Other items decided on the consent calendar or by brief discussion included a consent item to convert a Southwalk Lot 3 landscape performance bond of $20,377.50 to a one‑year landscape maintenance bond through 06/30/2026 (approved unanimously) and a Village Green PD request to change Building 6's primary exterior color from red to gray; staff had found the gray met Principle 9 of the Nolensville Design Standards and the commission approved the color change unanimously. The commission also adopted updated Planning Commission bylaws after limited discussion; one clarified provision specifies that the vice chair serves as chair in the chair's absence.

Votes at a glance

- Farrington monument sign plan — approved (unanimous). Staff recommended; sign: 12 ft obelisk, stone veneer, wrought‑iron blade with logo. - Farrington Phase 1 landscape amendment (as‑installed) — approved with staff condition (unanimous). Staff noted tree conservation updates and additional specimen replacements. - Farrington amenity center site plan (approx. 4.9 acres) — approved with staff conditions including submission of architectural elevations (unanimous). Proposed amenities: fitness center, event lawns, pool with lap section, pool bar, pool house, playground, walking trails, sand play area, half basketball court, tennis court, 4 pickleball courts, dog park; applicant stated parking calculations account for nearby pedestrian access. - Farrington preliminary plat Phase 3A (72 residential lots, 6 open‑space lots) — approved with staff conditions (unanimous). - Farrington final PD site plan — postponed at applicant request (unanimous). - Village Green PD Building 6 color change (red to gray) — approved (unanimous). Staff cited Principle 9 (low‑reflectance, neutral/earth tone colors). - Southwalk Lot 3 bond transition — approved (unanimous). Performance bond of $20,377.50 converted to a landscape maintenance bond through 06/30/2026. - Adoption of updated Planning Commission bylaws — approved (unanimous). Packet revisions clarified internal procedures, including succession in chair absence.

What comes next

Approved Farrington items will proceed to implementation steps required in staff conditions: the applicant must submit required architectural pages and any outstanding site plan details. The postponed Farrington final PD site plan will return when the applicant completes the materials and resolves outstanding items; the preliminary plat authorization allows the developer to proceed with construction plans for public infrastructure.