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Smyrna accepts donated parkland and a fire‑station tract from developer; council approves related impact‑fee agreement amid litigation concerns

November 14, 2025 | Smyrna, Rutherford County, Tennessee

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Smyrna accepts donated parkland and a fire‑station tract from developer; council approves related impact‑fee agreement amid litigation concerns
The Smyrna Town Council voted to accept two tracts of land offered by developer Dreypak: one tract of approximately 3.35 acres intended for a future fire station and a larger tract of roughly 42.48 acres proposed as public parkland. Planning staff told the council the donation would be applied in lieu of impact‑fee payments from the development up to a maximum dollar amount established in a separate agreement.

Council discussion focused on whether the donated land represents the best use of the town’s impact‑fee credits and whether accepting land within the developer’s PRD sets an undesirable precedent. A council member asked if the town would be paying for amenities the developer is still required to provide inside their PRD; staff responded that PRD amenity requirements remain and the donated land would be public amenities tied to the town’s parks inventory.

Council also debated an associated impact‑fee development agreement with Stars and Stripes (Linwood) that includes provisions for public‑safety impact fees and grading/clearance for up to 7.5 acres for town use. Multiple council members framed the agreement against ongoing litigation over whether certain subdivisions should have two or four parking pads per house; counsel said the agreement was presented in part to avoid a costly court outcome that could jeopardize the fire station site.

"If we voted not to [approve the agreement], we'd be in litigation for no telling how much that it might cost us," the mayor said in discussion of litigation exposure. Town attorney Jeff recommended discussing legal details in executive session but said the agreement looked like a win‑win given the value of the fire‑station site.

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