Commission approves annexation request for church property on Elam Road, citing connectivity benefits

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission on Dec. 3 approved an annexation petition for roughly 10.3 acres along Elam Road that includes property owned by the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists and a narrow city-owned parcel.

Planning staff (Miss Smith) told the commission the church and school currently occupy nearby property and want space for a separate school building. The area is contiguous to city limits and within the service-infill area. Staff said sewer is available adjacent to the site but the property owner would be responsible for any sewer extension or connection costs when they develop.

Miss Smith said the annexation would facilitate connectivity: Distribution Drive's original design envisioned a connection to Elam Road, which staff said could provide alternate routes and reduce traffic at the busy Manchester Pike intersection. "I think it's 40 crashes within the last 2 years, 3 years," she said, citing a departmental report on the intersection's crash history.

Brian Milano, pastor at Redeemer (the church and school applicant), spoke in support on behalf of the school, saying enrollment growth requires more space.

A motion to approve the annexation subject to staff comments passed with unanimous recorded votes from Commissioners Carroll, Prince, Rollins, Wright and Chair Halliburton. The commission's approval forwards the item to City Council, which will consider final annexation ordinances and any development approvals needed for sewer or site work.