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Planning commission defers Florence Road annexation over fire access and buffer shortfalls
Summary
The Smyrna Planning Commission deferred an annexation and PID rezoning for 8216 Florence Road after staff and the fire department flagged missing auto‑turn data, insufficient setbacks (applicant shows 15 ft vs. required 20 ft Type D buffer) and required extensions for hydrants and water mains to meet a 1,500 GPM@20 PSI fire flow requirement.
The Smyrna Municipal Planning Commission on Dec. 4 deferred consideration of an annexation and planned‑industrial development zoning for 8216 Florence Road, citing outstanding fire‑access and buffering requirements.
Staff told commissioners the property — roughly 3.54 acres — is proposed to be annexed and rezoned to a PID to allow 34,771 square feet of enclosed self‑storage plus covered outdoor storage in nine buildings and for conversion of an existing house into an office. Staff said the applicant must meet a minimum required fire flow of 1,500 gallons per minute at 20 pounds per square inch and would have to extend a fire hydrant and a water main across Florence Road to serve the buildings.
A representative of the fire department told the commission the department had not yet received an updated auto‑turn drawing showing the correct apparatus length and noted that three buildings might exceed the 300‑foot length at which rear access becomes required. The fire representative said partial access would be needed to ensure a maximum 150‑foot reach to all sides of long walls.
Staff also flagged a conflict between the zoning buffer shown on the plan and Smyrna’s standards: a Type D buffer (required) includes a minimum 20‑foot setback with a berm of at least 4 feet and plantings; the applicant’s plan shows a 15‑foot setback along the eastern property line bordering county RM zoning.
Commissioners debated denial versus deferral. Speaker 8 moved to defer the request to the next regular meeting so the applicant could provide the fire‑department auto‑turn analysis, show utility locations and adjust setbacks. The motion carried by voice vote; the application was deferred.
No formal vote on annexation or PID zoning occurred. Staff said the applicant may return once the fire‑department issues, drive‑aisle dimensions and buffering are resolved.
