Smyrna zoning board approves special exception to allow administrative offices on airport parcel

At its July 2026 meeting, the Town of Smyrna Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception allowing administrative office spaces for contract construction service companies on property owned by the Smyrna Rutherford County Airport Authority.

Mitch, a town staff member who presented the case, said staff reviewed the site under the town zoning ordinance and found the proposed administrative uses would not adversely affect public health, safety or surrounding properties. He told the board the site has access from Fitzhugh Boulevard, adequate off-street parking, and available utilities, and that screening and buffering requirements were not applicable. Staff recommended applying the special exception to the entire airport parcel rather than limiting approval to a single address so similar on-site businesses would be brought into compliance.

Evan Lester, airport director at the Smyrna Airport, spoke in support during the public hearing. "Essentially, it's just for the administrative office space for contract construction service companies," Lester said, adding the airport authority and its board review prospective tenants and that the airport leases small local businesses. Lester identified the airport's address during his remarks; the transcript contains inconsistent renderings of that street address.

The board voted to approve the request "as staff recommends," the Chair said. The transcript records the Chair announcing the motion was approved but does not include a roll-call tally or named vote counts.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the June 2026 meeting minutes earlier in the session, and later approved the special exception for the Smyrna Rutherford County Airport Authority parcel to permit administrative office uses for contract construction services. The transcript does not provide detailed roll-call vote tallies for either vote.

The board had no further business and adjourned the meeting.