Commission approves Russell Ranch rezoning for gated self‑storage with higher lot coverage

Rutherford County’s planning commission voted Feb. 9 to rezone roughly 3.8 acres at 10970 B Franklin Road from Light Industrial to Planned Unit Development for a self‑storage facility, following a staff presentation and applicant comments.

Staff said the primary change requested is an increase in allowable lot coverage — the applicant proposed about 69% coverage compared with the 50% currently allowed in the light‑industrial zone. Staff recommended approval while noting the use (self‑storage) is already allowed by right in the existing zone; the PUD was sought to permit additional non‑pervious coverage. Staff also said Franklin Road is a state road and any new or improved access will require Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) approval and that an engineered site plan will return to planning prior to development.

Applicant Matt Taylor confirmed prior coordination with TDOT and said the project will be gated and screened with landscaping and fencing; stormwater detention and site grading will be handled at the construction‑plan stage. Commissioners asked technical questions — including driveway paving, stormwater retention design and whether blasting would be necessary for detention — and received responses from staff and the applicant. After discussion the commission approved the rezoning by roll call.

Next steps: the developer must complete engineering, stormwater calculations and any TDOT access approvals; the engineered site plan will come back to the planning commission as required by county rules.