Commission sets public hearing for Redeemer Classical Academy rezone after staff flags flood‑plain and setback exceptions

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission voted Nov. 19 to set a Dec. 3 public hearing for a Planned Institutional District (PND) rezoning application from Redeemer Classical Academy for 210 Chaffin Place.

Planning staff (Ms. Smith) told commissioners that the site's existing building—constructed in 1985 and formerly a daycare—sits about 6 feet above the mapped flood plain, and that the proposal must meet the city's new policy requiring new school sites to obtain a PND rezone. Staff said of the roughly 11 new PND standards, the application meets all but one without exception.

Ms. Smith summarized three exceptions requested by the applicant: (1) an exception to the setback from parking (the parking already exists on site), (2) permission to retain the existing architecture with modest paint improvements for an older dock area, and (3) omission of additional base landscaping at certain entryways for safety reasons (staff noted schools are often designed to avoid obstructions that could hide persons). Staff also noted transportation staff had previously implemented intersection improvements nearby that helped queuing and that the school's release time would not coincide with the peak PM period, though additional queuing delays were anticipated if the school is approved.

Commissioners asked several questions about comparative traffic impacts between a daycare and a school; staff and at least one commissioner concluded a school would likely have less overlap with peak traffic than a daycare. The commission voted to schedule the public hearing for the Dec. 3 nighttime meeting and requested more detailed FEMA maps and the traffic analysis for public review.

The public hearing will give neighbors and interested parties an opportunity to comment before the commission makes any final recommendation to City Council.