Planning commission adopts Stones Battle Parkway corridor plan, endorses interchange version

The Murfreesboro Planning Commission adopted the Stones Battle Parkway (formerly Cherry Lane) small-area corridor plan and recommended the version that incorporates a potential interchange at I‑24.

The plan presentation emphasized a corridor-and-node approach intended to concentrate mixed-use, higher-density development at key interchanges and intersections while transitioning to medium- and lower-density residential uses away from those nodes. Consultant Kevin Gunther of Pete Dawson described two plan variants — one assuming an I‑24 interchange and a lower-intensity "Plan B" if the interchange does not occur — and urged the commission to adopt the interchange-inclusive future land use map so the city can proactively plan for likely growth.

City staff and the consultant said transportation, utilities and natural-resource constraints informed the land-use recommendations. Gunther told commissioners the study evaluated roadway geometry, intersection spacing, left-turn lane needs, floodplain impacts and secondary road connections; the plan also includes multimodal elements such as widened sidewalks and bicycle accommodations. He said the corridor plan is conceptual (not a binding roadway design) but intended to guide future capital improvements and development proposals.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commissioner (motion maker) moved to adopt the plan subject to staff comments; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all listed members voting aye.

The commission's action means the recommended future land use map with the interchange concept will supersede the prior map for the study area and will be forwarded to the city council with the planning commission's recommendation.