Murfreesboro City Council approves rezoning, development deals, housing and public-safety grants

Murfreesboro ' The Murfreesboro City Council on Oct. 23 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions, grant acceptances and contracts affecting development, housing services and public safety.

The council approved two rezoning ordinances on second and final reading and passed Resolution 25-R-31 to adopt an amended and restated economic impact plan, a development agreement and related property purchase and sale agreements for the Keystone Bridal Street redevelopment project. Council also approved a development agreement for "Project Spring," a roughly 171-acre site at the intersection of Epps Mill Lane and Manchester Highway that is outside the city's infill sewer service boundary; the agreement authorizes sewer service under terms that require payment of connection fees, installation of private grinder pumps and a dedicated force main to be maintained by the city.

Why it matters: the measures move several development projects and funding decisions forward and commit city resources through agreements, contracts and budgeted purchases.

Key actions and outcomes (votes at a glance):

- Ordinance 25-O-Z-29 (rezoning) — Approved on second and final reading by roll call (outcome: approved).

- Ordinance 25-O-Z-31 (rezoning along John R. Rice Boulevard) — Approved on second and final reading by roll call (outcome: approved).

- Resolution 25-R-31 (Keystone Bridal Street redevelopment: amended economic impact plan, development agreement, purchase/sale agreements, termination of 2023 agreements) — Approved by roll call (outcome: approved).

- Ordinance 25-O-33 (amend Chapter 15, gas code) — First reading presented and approved on first reading; the ordinance abolishes the city's gas board (which has not met in about 10 years) and aligns city contractor licensing with current state licensing law (outcome: approved on first reading).

- Tennessee Housing Development Agency Emergency Solutions Grant (THDA/HUD ESG) — Accepted; funds will be awarded to eligible local nonprofit agencies for emergency services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (outcome: approved).

- Project Spring development agreement (outside-city sewer) — Approved; agreement includes a 15-year lease for one parcel owned by Barrett, connections at Miller Lane, extension of a dedicated force main and private grinder pumps (outcome: approved).

- Statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) program grant — MPD awarded $1,050,000 to offset FY26 salaries and benefits for 14 SROs (outcome: accepted).

- Agreement with Rutherford County Sheriff for prisoner processing — $25,000 for FY26 (outcome: approved).

- Purchase of 14 police vehicles (2025 Ford Explorers) — $628,264 from the FY26 operating budget (outcome: approved).

- COPS Hiring Program grant acceptance — $2,125,000 award to support hiring 17 officers; city estimated local share ~ $1,900,000 to be budgeted in future years (outcome: accepted).

- Planning department organizational and operational assessment contract with ThriVance LLC — $95,000 to be funded from contingency; about a 10-week engagement (outcome: approved).

- Gateway Commission appointment — Approved (outcome: approved).

- Two special-event beer permits for City Schools Foundation events at 925 Golf Lane (Oct. 24 and Oct. 25) — Approved (outcome: approved).

- Payment of $350,000 to Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk related to a condemnation settlement — Approved (outcome: approved).

- Parking lot lease extension (Industrial Boulevard) — Extended through November 2030 at approximately $1,000 per month with a 180-day termination notice (outcome: approved).

Discussion and context:

City staff presented background and technical details for each item. Mister Gore (city staff) summarized the Keystone and planning items and noted the Project Spring parcel is outside the city's infill service line as defined by the future land use map; that status requires council to determine whether providing sewer service is a public benefit before approving a development agreement. Mister Jones (city staff) said the Chapter 15 change responds to state licensing changes that eliminated the need for a separate city gas license and the local gas board. Chief Bowen explained the SRO and COPS grant awards and the number of positions each would fund or offset.

No members of the public registered for public comment during the meeting. The council confirmed it will not meet Oct. 30 and will next meet Nov. 6. Staff gave brief community-event reminders and the meeting adjourned.

Provenance: the actions and summaries above are based on council roll calls, staff presentations and motions recorded in the Oct. 23 meeting transcript (see timeline items).