Commission approves SRM Storage site plan after staff conditions on steep driveway

Rutherford County planning commissioners on Oct. 27 approved a site plan to legalize a 4,000‑square‑foot storage warehouse on 4.34 acres in a light industrial (LLI) zone, with staff conditions addressing a steep site entrance and stormwater controls.

Planner Doug DeMasi told the commission that the building and site improvements were constructed before the property was rezoned and that the site plan is intended to bring the development into compliance. The primary staff concerns were the profile of the entrance off Hickory Grove Road (possibly too steep for emergency apparatus) and stormwater runoff capture to the proposed on‑site pond.

Engineer Chris McGuire, representing the applicant, said the driveway profile indicates a grade “about 13%, which is pretty steep,” and that the design team will work with staff and the fire marshal to modify the entrance profile and make any required improvements. McGuire said site changes to capture runoff (a curb feeding the stormwater pond) have been added and that the team is prepared to address minor remaining staff comments.

Commissioners moved to approve the site plan with staff comments; the motion passed on voice/roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes. Staff will confirm final driveway profiles and obtain any required fire marshal sign‑off before issuance of outstanding permits.

Ending: The applicant agreed to work with the county to resolve drainage and access concerns; staff will verify compliance before final permitting.