The Gallatin Planning Commission on Nov. 17 approved a series of development proposals, rezonings and an annexation after discussing connectivity, floodplain constraints and material standards.

Commissioners voted to approve the Ocona Center preliminary master development plan with 19 staff conditions, modifying condition 8 to require a stub-out to the adjacent eastern property “to the maximum extent possible,” according to the motion the commission adopted. Brad Hickman, staff planner, told commissioners the 4.91-acre PGC site is partly in a floodplain and will require a floodplain permit and stream-buffer details before development.

The commission also approved an amended preliminary plan for River Bend (16.57 acres; 146 townhomes in the R6 district) after extended discussion about Jenkins Lane. Commissioner discussion centered on whether the road section should be a 26-foot paved width without curb and gutter (to accommodate future curb construction) or a standard 24-foot section. Engineering staff said the wider 26-foot section provides a paved shoulder that eases future curb-and-gutter installation; developers pressed for flexibility on sidewalk timing and certain architectural conditions.

Preston Park commercial (Resolution 2025-148), a roughly 5.96-acre PGC site adding about 18,700 square feet of office/medical space, was approved as a minor amendment. Staff required rear elevation architecture and pedestrian connectivity; the applicant asked that one connectivity condition be removed because an existing gated breezeway and berm limit safe pedestrian access. After discussion, commissioners approved the plan but struck the staff condition requiring the specific connection identified as condition 7.

The commission approved other items on the agenda, including The Crossings at Hidden Creek Phase 5 (156 townhomes), Station Camp senior housing (an amended plan increasing units to 178 and requesting height and FAR exceptions), a rezoning on Anthony Street and Hatton Track Road, a rezoning for First Baptist Church’s downtown campus to core commercial, and a city-initiated annexation for roughly 3.5 acres for the future Triple Creek Park expansion. Most votes were taken by voice and recorded as unanimous.

Public comment included a safety-focused appeal from a resident who identified liability concerns if local subdivision or fire-access regulations are not followed; the speaker said code section D103 requires a 26-foot minimum access road and said current roads in one Phase 5 area measure 25 feet. Chair Harris acknowledged the comment and staff discussed access and fire-department coordination during later items.

The meeting closed with commissioners and staff thanking Chair Harris, who said this was his last meeting.

The Commission’s recommendations and approvals will proceed to any subsequent administrative or city-council steps required by code, including final master plan submissions and any required permits such as floodplain permits and TDOT access approvals.