Rutherford County appeals board approves accessory-dwelling requests, group childcare conversion and a major home-based business

The Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 1 approved a series of zoning requests that included a detached-accessory-structure variance, three accessory-dwelling unit (ADU) exceptions, a group childcare conversion and a major home-based business application.

The most contested request was Application 20 25 32, a variance for Gregory and Catherine McKinley at 2468 Cross Park Drive to allow 2,400 square feet of detached accessory structure area — 178 square feet above the 2,222-square-foot allotment for a 1.02-acre lot under Section 11.0.1.d.4 of the Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance. Planning staff said the request is largely self-created and "does not meet all of the criteria," though neighbors in the area provided a letter of support. Applicant Greg McKinley said he demolished an older 800-square-foot building and proposed a new 40-by-56 structure, noting it is "18 square feet larger than what's allowed" and, as he put it, roughly "6 inches of building." The board approved the variance on a roll-call vote (Mike Curtis — No; Amber Brown — Yes; Jerry Sartain — Yes; Gary Farley — Yes; Renee Curtis — Yes; Patrick Hale — Yes; Zane Cantrell — Yes).

The board also approved three requests related to accessory dwelling units. Application 20 25 33 (6042 Sedg Ridge Avenue) sought a 960-square-foot manufactured-home ADU for a family member; staff referenced a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation septic permit dated Dec. 28, 2023, showing the site can accommodate an additional system, and recommended approval. Applicant Amira said the ADU would allow care for her father and father-in-law because the household already houses five children. The motion carried by roll call (Mike Curtis — Yes; Amber Brown — No; Jerry Sartain — Yes; Gary Farley — Yes; Renee Curtis — Yes; Patrick Hale — Yes; Zane Cantrell — Yes).

Application 20 25 34 involved a 440-square-foot ADU created by converting an existing garage at 205 Gossett Drive. The homeowner, Lindsey Johnson, said she and her husband found the conversion necessary after family changes and sought to "go through the proper channels" once they learned a zoning permit was required. Building staff confirmed a building permit and a septic modification application had been filed and staff recommended approval. The board recorded roll-call responses consistent with approval; one roll-call response during Amber Brown's entry was transcribed unclearly, but the readable responses indicate the motion passed with the board's support (transcript shows the other board members voting Yes and staff recommendation to approve).

Courtney Hewitt sought a special exception (Application 202535) to convert her mother’s garage at 201 Peoples Drive into a group childcare home for up to 12 children. Hewitt said she currently cares for four children but needs to move the operation out of her HOA-covered residence and is pursuing state DHS licensure; she said she has completed required training modules. Staff recommended approval, noting driveway and drop-off configuration would need to meet safety standards and state approval is also required. The board voted unanimously to approve the special exception (all seven members voted Yes).

The board approved Application 20 25 36, a request by Freddie and Robin Carroll for a major home-based business at 105 Homewood Drive to allow civil and infrastructure contractor office functions on a 16-acre combined tract. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions that the applicants plat the two properties into a single parcel and bring unpermitted structures and modifications into compliance; staff noted calls both supporting and opposing the request, primarily over traffic and visibility. Matt Taylor, representing MTI, said the property serves as an office and that "they do not store heavy equipment here" and that vehicles on-site are primarily passenger trucks. Neighbors Amos Wolf and Patricia Stanley spoke in support, saying the property "blends in with the neighborhood" and is well maintained. The board approved the request with staff conditions: recorded votes were Mike Curtis — Yes; Amber Brown — No; Jerry Sartain — No; Gary Farley — Yes; Renee Curtis — Yes; Patrick Hale — Yes; Zane Cantrell — Yes.

What happens next: approvals that require building permits, septic modifications, state approvals (for childcare), or platting will be handled by county building/zoning staff and relevant state agencies. Several approvals carried staff-recommended conditions; applicants must satisfy those conditions and obtain required permits before operations may commence or structures be occupied for the new uses.

Votes at a glance: - Application 20 25 32 (McKinley variance, 2468 Cross Park Drive): Approved (recorded roll-call: 6 Yes, 1 No). - Application 20 25 33 (Adelmach ADU, 6042 Sedg Ridge Ave): Approved (recorded roll-call: 6 Yes, 1 No). - Application 20 25 34 (Lindsey Johnson ADU, 205 Gossett Dr): Approved (roll-call responses indicate approval; one roll-call line during Amber Brown's response is garbled in the transcript). - Application 202535 (Courtney Hewitt group childcare, 201 Peoples Dr): Approved (7 Yes, unanimous). - Application 20 25 36 (Carroll major home-based business, 105 Homewood Dr): Approved with conditions (5 Yes, 2 No).

Officials and speakers quoted in this report spoke at the public meeting and are recorded in the transcript. All approvals are subject to permitting, inspections and compliance with the conditions set by planning staff and the Board of Zoning Appeals.