Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Motor Vehicle Sales topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BZA clears Cadillac dealership special-use permit on John R. Rice Boulevard
Summary
The Murfreesboro BZA unanimously approved a special-use permit for a Cadillac dealership including showroom and repair on John R. Rice Boulevard; staff said the 23,990-square-foot building meets motor-vehicle-sales standards and will include a 25-by-150 loading area and a Type E buffer where the site abuts residential areas.
The Murfreesboro Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 25 approved a special-use permit for a motor-vehicle sales use — a proposed Cadillac dealership — along the south side of John R. Rice Boulevard, with unanimous votes from the four members present.
City planning staff described the proposal as a 23,990-square-foot building that will contain a showroom and vehicle repair area, plus an inventory display lot on the south portion of the site. Staff told the board the site is zoned Commercial Highway (in a GDO district) and that motor-vehicle sales in that zone are allowed only by special-use permit. Staff also reviewed relevant ordinance standards intended to prevent vehicles being loaded or unloaded in the public right-of-way and to require on-site loading and adequate parking.
Staff noted additional site standards: when a motor-vehicle sales use abuts residential property, a Type E landscape buffer is required (a 20-foot planting strip with dense evergreen plantings). Staff also said the ordinance now requires a dedicated 25-by-150-foot on-site area for vehicle loading and unloading to avoid use of public lanes.
Applicant representative Matt Taylor explained site features and display areas: “The display areas are these two circular areas here … this will be the showroom,” and described the display pads as flush concrete with a curb, sized to hold about one to two vehicles. He also said larger deliveries and pre-inspections would be handled at an existing nearby GM dealership owned by the same owner so vehicles would be driven across rather than unloaded in the right-of-way.
Staff reported notices were sent to property owners within a 250-foot radius, and no calls or objections had been received. After closing the public hearing (no public speakers), a board member moved to approve the permit pending staff comments and roll call recorded four ayes; the application was approved.
Next steps: the applicant will work with planning and building staff to finalize site plans and meet the ordinance requirements (including buffers, loading area and parking) before permits are issued.
