Commission approves access control and 2‑ft parking variance for new Soddy‑Daisy Middle School

The Soddy‑Daisy Municipal Planning Commission on July 8 approved access control for the new Soddy‑Daisy Middle School at 200 Turner Road and granted a 2‑foot variance to allow 32 angled parking spaces to measure 9 feet by 18 feet.

Matthew Twitchell of MTA Architects said the parking layout is tight and the design team preferred to keep the existing curb line to avoid encroaching on the adjacent ballfield infrastructure. "Without the variance it would encroach more on the ballfield as it cannot be moved toward the school," Twitchell said. Recording Secretary Dolberry noted the drawings show the spaces as 9 ft. x 18 ft. angled spaces.

Chairman Bivens identified required corrections to the drawings, including a corrected rear setback on Sheet C100 (to 15 feet), clearer labeling of the outer perimeter property line with meets‑and‑bounds and dimensions, verification of a property strip that may have been taken by US‑27, and response letters from EPB and Water Quality. The commission approved the access control subject to labeling the future road and addressing the listed omissions. The motion to approve the access control was made by Secretary Penney and seconded by Commissioner Keith and passed unanimously.

The commission separately approved the 2‑ft parking variance (motion by Secretary Penney, seconded by Commissioner Keith) to allow the 32 angled stalls at 9×18 feet. Planner Jones also required that the first 25 feet of the construction access be paved in concrete or asphalt.

What happens next: the applicant must submit corrected drawings addressing the omissions before final sign‑off; the variance was approved as part of the site access decision.