Planning Commission recommends rezoning of 215 January Street from RS-8 to CL

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission on July 9 recommended that City Council rezone roughly 0.3 acres at 215 January Street from RS-8 (single-family residential) to CL (commercial limited).

Staff planner Holly Smith told the commission the property sits directly north of CL‑zoned parcels along Bridge Avenue, and that the city—2035 General Plan designates the area as SR (suburban residential). Smith said the commission has discretion under the plan—transition policy to authorize the CL zone here to act as a buffer between the more intensive commercial frontage and the residential neighborhood behind it.

Smith said CL zoning would allow modestly denser residential uses than RS‑8 and would permit the property owner to convert the existing dwelling to two units; a third unit could be possible only if the city council later approved additional sewer allocation. Smith reported that nearby neighbors who commented to staff supported the request so long as the site remained residential in character and did not push commercial uses farther into the neighborhood.

Commissioners opened the public hearing, received no public testimony, and voted to recommend approval to the city council. The motion to approve was made "subject to staff comments." The vote was recorded as follows: Commission Chair Ken Halliburton abstained from the chair vote; Commissioners Abelwater, Carroll, Harris, Prince, Rollins and Wright voted aye. The commission directed that the item be forwarded to city council for final action, and staff noted the council will consider sewer allocation if a third unit is proposed in the future.

The rezoning request was presented as a standard map amendment; staff cited the City—2035 General Plan transition policy and the existing CL zoning pattern along Bridge Avenue as the basis for recommending CL. The staff report and the public hearing notice were circulated to adjacent property owners in the required radius prior to the hearing.

Next steps: the commission—recommendation will be placed on an upcoming city council agenda for final action and any council-level conditions or additional public hearing requirements.