Fireplace Fellowship seeks site‑plan approval after conditional use permit; planners request landscaping and lighting details

Fireplace Fellowship presented a site plan to the Gallatin Planning Commission for a proposed church at a property on Long Hollow Pike adjacent to Bagsby Ranch and Grace Church.

Founder Shanda Tripp Hill described the congregation's history and need for the new facility: “My husband and I founded the Fireplace Fellowship, 21 years ago right here on Water Street… that church flooded, ultimately we just sold it and so we purchased the property on Long Hollow and it is our desire to build a 4,000 square foot addition onto that existing 6,000 square foot house,” Tripp Hill said.

Staff told the commission the congregation has already received a conditional use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals for a place of worship and must now submit a site plan to this body. Planning staff outlined key outstanding items: a parking‑lot landscape screening plan, detailed ADA parking specifications and a photometric lighting plan to ensure foot‑candles at property lines meet code. A planner said the current lighting schematic appeared to show “an excessive amount of lights” and requested a photometric plan to verify compliance.

Commissioners reiterated the request for landscaping and lighting details. Tripp Hill asked for guidance and said the group would comply with city requirements. The item was treated as a site‑plan review with staff comments to be addressed and the applicant expected to return in a future meeting.