Board approves one‑time Music City Youth Fest at Thompson Road barn

Rutherford County planning staff presented Application 202608 seeking a one‑time, three‑day special exception to hold Music City Youth Fest inside an existing barn at 2752 Thompson Road. Staff said the event would be limited to roughly 100 ticketed attendees, would not serve alcohol, would stage workshops and indoor musical performances with minimal amplification, and would conclude nightly at or before 10 p.m. Staff recommended conditions including a pre‑event life‑safety inspection, adherence to an approved site‑plan parking layout, and that any future events would require separate review.

Organizer Melanie Chang (speaker 20) told the board the ukulele‑focused festival aims to share Hawaiian culture and attract an older, low‑key audience; she said previous events drew 60–70 people and volunteers would manage parking flow and ADA spaces. Neighbors provided mixed feedback: Rich Strickland (speaker 23) said he had no objection, while Gary Petty (speaker 24) and others expressed concerns about potential camping and site access before the applicant removed camping from the request.

A commissioner representing the district (speaker 25) said he had not received complaints and would preview the event on Saturday to inspect operations. A board member noted staff conditions and the temporary nature of the request and moved to approve; the motion passed by roll call.

The approval is limited to a single three‑day event; staff will enforce the life‑safety inspection, occupancy limits and site‑plan conditions. If the event is repeated in the future, the organizer must return for approval.