Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessory Dwelling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smyrna BZA approves special exception for accessory dwelling at 104 Edison Circle
Summary
The Town of Smyrna Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception in February 2026 allowing a roughly 600 sq ft detached accessory dwelling at 104 Edison Circle for Lamont Brown, with conditions requiring payment of applicable fees, non-rental use, and compliance with code and fire requirements.
The Town of Smyrna Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception in February 2026 to allow a detached accessory dwelling unit at 104 Edison Circle for applicant Lamont Brown. The board voted in favor after a staff presentation and questions from members.
Mitch, a town staff member, told the board the property is just over a half-acre in size in the R-1 (low-density single-family) district and that the proposed detached accessory dwelling would be approximately 600 square feet. He said there is also an existing roughly 160-square-foot shed in the rear yard and that the proposed ADU would be located in the rear yard and required to meet all applicable setback requirements. "Staff finds that the proposed use of an accessory dwelling unit should not negatively affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public," Mitch said, citing town zoning provisions, including Section 7.06 and Section 5.0510.1(c).
Staff reviewed the ordinance criteria for special exceptions, including ingress and egress, off-street parking (the lot’s driveway is more than 100 feet long), utilities (water, sewer and gas are available), and compatibility with adjacent properties. Mitch told the board the lot would not exceed the maximum allowed detached accessory square footage for the lot (800 square feet) and recommended approval with conditions.
Board discussion focused on the size limit and whether the existing small rear structure would be repurposed for dwelling. An Unidentified Board Member asked whether the 800-square-foot limit applied; Mitch said that cap is based on the lot size. Mitch also said he had not yet verified whether the existing structure had been previously permitted but that the applicant intended to proceed properly.
Scott, a board member, moved to approve the special exception with staff comments and conditions requiring the applicant to pay all applicable ADU fees (including Rutherford County development tax, town of Smyrna impact fees and code inspection fees), that the building not be used as a rental and that all applicable code and fire-department requirements be met. Mitch seconded the motion. The board approved the request by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
The board opened a public hearing for comments but no public speaker is recorded in the transcript. After the vote the board returned to staff comments, heard none, and adjourned.
The decision authorizes construction or conversion subject to the listed conditions; the transcript does not record building permits issued or a later inspection clearance. Any required permits, inspections or documentation to confirm non-rental use and code/fire compliance were not specified in the record.
