Rutherford County approves multiple rezonings, clears Buchanan Business Park plan

Rutherford County commissioners approved four zoning changes at their June 12 regular meeting, clearing the way for a mix of commercial, industrial and business‑park development while attaching staff conditions intended to reduce neighborhood impacts.

The commission voted to approve REZ25‑008 (Swanson Development, Elam Road), a roughly 10‑acre rezoning from residential medium density to Employment and Activity Center. Planning director Doug DeMasi told commissioners the concept plan shows three buildings totaling about 70,400 square feet and noted proximity to I‑24. DeMasi said the planning commission unanimously recommended approval and that a future engineered site plan could require a traffic study and demonstrate compliance with buffer and access standards. Commissioners voted to adopt the rezoning by voice vote.

Commissioners also approved REZ25‑009 (Hollingshead Development, Hickory Grove Road), a roughly 5‑acre request to rezone a site from residential medium density to light industrial to support parking and material storage. DeMasi flagged that the applicant built part of the site before securing permits and that the county may require site corrections or double permit fees if standards are not met. The planning commission had recommended approval despite a split vote at the planning meeting; the county commission approved the rezoning by voice vote.

A 10‑acre rezoning, REZ25‑011 (Matt Hamilton / Reagan Smith, Sulphur Springs Road), was approved to allow commercial services, including a proposed self‑storage development. DeMasi said the concept proposes about 302 storage units with fenced, gated access and both enclosed and outdoor storage; he noted traffic and localized flooding or sink‑hole concerns that will be addressed during engineered site‑plan review. The planning commission recommended unanimous approval, and the full commission adopted the rezoning.

The most substantial item, REZ25‑005 (Swanson Development, Manchester Pike), would create the Buchanan Business Park across roughly 105 acres. Under the proposal, about 12.5 acres along Manchester Pike would be rezoned Commercial General and roughly 92.5 acres would be a planned unit development for industrial uses. The concept plan shown to commissioners included up to about 700,000 square feet of warehouse/distribution space across multiple buildings, to be built in phases. DeMasi said the application included a traffic study recommending turn lanes and a traffic signal at a primary entrance; the planning commission recommended approval with a condition that roll‑up doors on Building I (the northernmost building closest to residences) be flipped to the south to reduce noise and activity facing nearby homes. The county commission approved the rezoning with staff comments.

Across the four items, planning staff emphasized that approval of zoning does not substitute for required engineered site plans, and that specific uses, site access, buffers and any required traffic studies will be reviewed during subsequent permitting. Commissioners raised concerns about traffic and neighborhood impacts during public discussion; in at least one case (REZ25‑009) staff noted construction occurred before zoning and permitting were completed and said staff could require corrective work and double permit fees where appropriate.

The county recorded voice votes to approve each rezoning after the public‑hearing periods closed. No formal appeal or litigation was recorded during the meeting. The approvals now move projects to the staff review and permitting stage, where site‑plan conditions, landscaping buffers and access controls will be enforced before construction proceeds.