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Wilson County BZA roundup: denials of gun range, multiple variance rulings and a conditional sewer variance
Summary
The BZA denied a high‑profile gun‑range special use after hours of public comment, denied several accessory variances, approved an RV‑sales sewer variance conditioned on a TDEC letter, and approved other site‑specific variances and sign replacements.
The Wilson County Board of Zoning Appeals cleared a full agenda in its April meeting, denying a contested special‑use request for a gun range and taking action on multiple variance requests across the county.
Key outcomes at a glance
- Case 4275 (Jack Bird, 4280 South Mount Juliet Road): Denied — The board denied the gun‑range special use after extended public comment, staff evidence of enforcement and testimony the operation behaved at a commercial scale. The board’s denial was made on staff recommendation and was amended to specifically cite testimony on noise, scale and ongoing noncompliance.
- Case 4280 (Joseph Clark, 3625 Murfreesboro Road): Approved (conditioned) — The board approved a sewer variance to allow a power‑sports/recreational vehicle sales lot after the applicant produced a TDEC letter (dated 03/06/2025) indicating the existing septic could serve up to six employees. The approval was expressly conditioned on that TDEC finding; future change of use or increased staffing will require review and additional permitting.
- Case 4274 (Stillwater Construction for Ben Glenn, 521 Lake Forest Drive): Denied — Staff could not support a 4‑foot side‑setback variance for an addition; the board voted to deny on staff recommendation.
- Case 4276 (Josh Stevenson, 524 Acorn Way): Denied — Staff and neighbor testimony about repeated stop‑work orders and stormwater/silt issues supported denial of a large accessory building prior to a residence being built.
- Case 4279 (Kim Rezak): Denied — An accessory dwelling already constructed exceeded the 600‑sq‑ft cap; staff recommended denial and the board denied the variance.
- Case 4281 (840 Cowsville Pike fuel canopy setback): Denied — Board denied a requested front‑yard setback variance for a fuel‑canopy encroachment on staff recommendation, citing safety and site‑plan revision options.
- Case 4282 (Ben Spurlock): Approved — The board approved requested setback variances and an accessory structure replacement/expansion on a small lot following staff review (site‑specific conditions discussed).
- Case 4283 (Billboard replacement at 1510 Murfreesboro Road): Approved — Board approved relocating and replacing an existing billboard; applicant said the new location better serves nearby commercial uses and the sportsplex.
Procedural notes
- Two cases (4277 and 4278; applicant Jennifer Davis) were deferred to the May 15, 2025 meeting at the applicant’s request. Case 4254 (Duncan) was deferred to the June meeting to allow surveying adjustments intended to eliminate some variance needs.
What it means
The meeting underscored differences between individual landowner activities and what the county treats as commercial operations requiring rezoning or special permits. Several denials were grounded in staff interpretations of the R‑1 district rules and unresolved enforcement actions; the conditional approval tied to a TDEC letter shows the BZA will consider technical approvals when agency findings support limited departures from code.
Board members and staff said enforcement actions and any pending court matters remain active and separate from the board’s land‑use decisions.
The planning commission will continue to consider related rezoning requests and code cleanup items in coming weeks; staff mentioned a zoning cleanup for C‑3 uses coming to planning and zoning for further consideration.
