Commission conditions Toombs Creek Farm nursery approval on demonstration of state permits

The Williamson County Regional Planning Commission approved a nonresidential site plan for a 10.08-acre nursery on Arnold Road, with a condition that the owner show required Tennessee Department of Agriculture permits before the commission’s approval is finalized.

Staff described the project as 15 greenhouses totaling about 66,600 square feet to produce cut flowers for retailers; there will be no on-site retail activity, and the existing house and septic system will remain for residential use. Co-owner Song Choi told commissioners he was "communicating very diligently" with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and expected a short turnaround if the farm applies for required licenses. Song said phased construction would start small with two greenhouses in year one and ramp up over multiple years.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on operational details. One commissioner noted the staff report mentioned portable toilets for "3 to 5 employees," while Song Choi said full buildout could support roughly 15 employees ("about 1 employee per greenhouse"). Commissioners asked whether that discrepancy would affect parking; staff indicated parking requirements must be checked against the ordinance and said there was sufficient parking as proposed. A commissioner also asked whether the building-permit and agriculture permits would be required; staff said the building code does not require permanent restroom facilities for the proposed use but that the county could ask the owner to show agriculture permits as a condition.

A motion passed requiring the owner to show that "the necessary licenses/permits have been acquired by the owner" before final approval. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: the condition ensures state-level licensing is in place before the nursery begins business operations; commissioners said they were balancing phased development and regulatory compliance with questions about employee services and parking.

Name note: staff introduced the site as "Toombs Creek Farm" while the co-owner identified the business verbally as "Toon Creek Farm." The commission’s official file lists the agenda item as Toombs Creek Farm; the approval condition requires the owner to demonstrate the appropriate state permits regardless of the local naming variation.

Next steps: the owner must provide documentation of required state agriculture licenses to staff before finalization of the site-plan approval.