Commission approves Sanders Ferry commercial plan after granting three waivers on materials, trees and pervious area

Hendersonville planning commissioners approved a commercial site plan for a 4.7‑acre property at 120 Sanders Ferry Road that will include two single‑story retail buildings fronting Sanders Ferry and a larger rear building intended as the headquarters for Panera Roofing.

Staff said the project meets parking counts (providing 176 spaces against a 175‑space requirement) but requested three waivers: (1) allow high‑quality architectural metal as a predominant material on Building 3 where zoning favors brick or stone, (2) permit replacement trees to be primarily ornamental rather than the zoning’s standard 75% canopy trees, and (3) accept roughly 17.5% pervious area instead of the ordinance minimum of 20%.

Commissioner concerns and staff responses: Commissioners raised questions about permeability, stormwater detention given proximity to Old Hickory Lake, and the visibility/economic need for ornamental rather than canopy trees along the frontage. Public Works staff explained that the project will be required to extend a two‑way left‑turn lane and that the applicant must show the receiving drainage system can handle the 25‑year storm or otherwise mitigate impacts. Applicant representatives said fire‑department drive‑aisle widths and restaurant parking demands influenced impervious calculations but proposed pervious pavers and additional creative pervious treatments to reach the effective intent of the 20% requirement.

Voting and conditions: Waiver 1 (metal siding on Building 3) passed electronically with unanimous support. Waiver 2 (tree type) was approved subject to working with staff to increase canopy trees (motion passed). Waiver 3 (pervious area) was approved contingent on staff acceptance of a combination of pervious pavers and additional pervious areas to meet the ordinance’s intent. After addressing the waivers the commission approved the overall site plan (electronic vote recorded as passing with 9 yeses). Staff and commissioners directed negotiations on canopy tree counts and pervious paving details be finalized in coordination with planning and public‑works staff prior to final city sign‑off.

Next steps: Applicant must finalize engineering details, drainage proofs and any required right‑of‑way widening with Public Works and staff before permits are issued.