Board approves 60-foot flagpole at John Bragg Highway mini-storage despite staff concerns

The Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday approved a request to install a 60-foot flagpole at a mini-storage facility along John Bragg Highway.

Doug, planning staff, told the board that Chapter 12 of the county zoning ordinance limits structure height in the Light Industrial district to 40 feet and that the applicant, John Reichen, was requesting a 20-foot variance. Doug said staff’s packet and findings concluded the applicant had not demonstrated that all variance criteria were met.

Reichen, the applicant, said the pole would display only an American flag near the facility entrance and that the highway's wide 250-foot right-of-way justified a taller flag to be visible without introducing commercial signage. “I’m just wanting to have a bigger flag on the property…just the American flag,” Reichen said.

Tracy Whipple, a nearby resident, opposed the request during the public hearing, saying the previously undeveloped tree line along John Bragg Highway would be altered and expressing concern that a large flag might encourage larger signage in the future. “I just don’t think that a flag of that size is necessary,” Whipple said.

Commissioner Peay and others said neighbors had been consulted and that a taller mast would suit the site’s topography. The board moved and voted by roll call to approve the variance; the motion passed on a unanimous vote among members recorded in the hearing.

The approval was recorded with the staff conditions listed in the application packet; the county will follow up through permitting to verify height and setback details and to ensure only the American flag is flown, as described by the applicant.

The board moved to the next agenda item following the vote.