Planning commission backs county rezone to allow event space at 8220 Central Pike; sewer/annexation questions remain

The Mount Juliet planning commission on April 17 issued a positive recommendation to Wilson County for a rezone at 8220 Central Pike from C3 (Highway Commercial) to C2 (Neighborhood Commercial). The site owner, Andre Olivier, told the commission the building is currently used as an event space but is not zoned for that use and asked the commission to support a rezone.

Olivier said the property presently uses a holding tank and the owner is pursuing a variance for the septic system: “It’s a building that is being rented to use as an event space. And it’s currently not zoned for that, and we would like to get that changed.” Commissioners and staff asked whether the site would require city sewer to operate as an event center.

Planning staff and Public Works said the city generally requires city sewer when service is requested but that out‑of‑city sewer is sometimes allowed with Board approval. A staff speaker told the commission: “Out of city sewer is allowed, but it would have to go through your board and the BOC to get approval.” The owner said the property is currently outside city limits but in the city’s growth area and that annexation could be considered if the business grows.

The item was on the planning commission’s consent agenda and was included in a motion approving several consent items and forwarding recommendations on rezones and other permits to the Board of Commissioners and, in this case, Wilson County.

Why this matters: a county rezone to C2 would bring zoning consistent with the applicant’s proposed use. The project raises utility and annexation questions because an event venue typically needs restrooms and other public sanitary infrastructure.

What’s next: the County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners will take up the county rezone application; if the applicant requests city sewer or annexation at a later date, that request will require separate city approvals.