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Planning commission approves preliminary plat for 68 townhomes at 701 Potters Lane amid traffic and stormwater concerns
Summary
Clarksville planning commissioners approved a preliminary plat for a 68-lot townhome development at 701 Potters Lane while residents urged stronger screening, a traffic study and clear stormwater plans; staff said technical reviews and a required development plan will follow before construction may begin.
Clarksville's Planning Commission voted to approve the preliminary plat for a 68-unit townhome development at 701 Potters Lane on Sept. 3, sending the proposal to the next design-and-development review stage.
Planning staff told the commission the property — the former Shrine Club site annexed into the town this summer and zoned R-3 under annexation conditions — met the checklist for preliminary-plat approval. Staff noted the annexation agreement requires construction to begin within 12 months of the annexation taking effect, which staff said means construction must start by 2026-07-16 or the property would revert to R-2 zoning. "All items are satisfied on our checklist," planning staff said in their overview.
The applicant, Eric Merton of Paul Primavera & Associates, described the plat as conforming to the annexation exhibit and development requirements, including that each unit be individually platted and sellable, garages contain one to two spaces, and exterior finishes meet the annexation standards (brick/stone and prohibited sidings). "For the above stated reasons, including the strict compliance with the zoning ordinance and annexation petition, we request approval of the preliminary plat tonight," Merton said.
Nearby residents at the public comment period raised repeated concerns about traffic, stormwater runoff, and privacy. Patricia Linford, whose family property abuts the site, asked that the required landscape buffer include trees tall enough to provide screening for two-story units: "We don't wanna look into somebody's upstairs bedroom," she said. Jim McIntosh, another adjacent owner, pressed staff on stormwater discharge and said he observed heavy traffic on Potters Lane during evening hours, reporting that "358 vehicles went by" during a 35-minute count he conducted.
Staff and the applicants said technical studies and reviews will address those concerns at the development-plan stage. Planning staff said the town requires a traffic impact analysis for developments of this size and that the fire department will not approve any plan that prevents emergency vehicles from gaining access. The applicant said civil and traffic engineers will design and submit drainage and access plans for town review.
The commission approved the preliminary plat by voice vote; staff said the applicant will return with a full development plan and final plat (staff estimated a development-plan review in December–January).
