Planning Commission Meeting
August 14th, 2023
All members of the planning commission were present for the meeting. The only change to the agenda was #8 was withdrawn. The agenda and minutes were approved. Public comment was opened. I opted to speak at this meeting. I requested a four way stop be placed at the corner of Wilkinson and Calista Road.
My sixteen year old, newer driver, has recently complained about almost being t-boned crossing Wilkinson Lane. Drivers cannot always see small cars driving north on Calista due to the foliage on the southwest corner. Drivers do not always stop coming out of the Fields at Oakwood either. That intersection has become increasingly more dangerous and will only get worse as the 700+ homes are added to the north on Calista. I am requesting a four way stop at this intersection. The other request in is regards to #10 on this agenda. The city has requested that the new development add a park to their small development. I would ask that this park not be on the greenway. The greenway has become increasingly congested and not as green as it once was. Runners have also complained about bikes, children’s toys, and pieces of chalk left on the greenway behind the Twin Springs Apartments. A park on the greenway would lead to more of these issues.
#1 is under their maintenance bond. It is getting ready to expire and be zeroed out, but that won’t happen until next month so it is on this agenda. #2 & #3 need a one year extension and they are in the process of seeking a reduction. The reduction will happen in September, but both need to stay on the agenda according to planning director Ceagus Clark. Chairman McCormick reiterated that all of these bonds are subject to the 15% increase. Items 1-7 Approved.
Item # 9 White House Utility District/Barge Civil & Associates: Requests Site Plan Approval for a new 34,000 sq ft headquarters for White House Utility District. Property is referenced as Robertson County Tax Map 117, Parcel 87.01. Property is zoned C-2, General Commercial and is located at 500 Business Park Drive. Owner: White House Utility District
Clark stated that they are in the process of acquiring the lot across from the church. The building will be back by the fire hall and storage units. McCormick asked about the road and access. Reynolds, city engineer, stated that particular information is not on this level of the plan. McCormick asked about the time frame. The builder was there and stated that the construction documents would be available early November/December. Murphy stated that the design was beautiful. McCormick said that the goal was to move all of the facilities to this location. Approved
(Deferred at July Meeting) Item # 10 Raymond Hirsch Parkway Commercial PUD/Kimley-Horn: Requests Recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to rezone 22.83 acres from R-20, Low Density Residential to CPUD, Commercial Planned Unit Development. Request is further made for Preliminary Plat Approval for a mixed-use development consisting of commercial and residential uses. Property is referenced as Robertson County Tax Map 107I, Parcels 75, 76, and 77. Property is currently zoned R-20, Low Density Residential and is located at Raymond Hirsch Parkway and Highway 31W. Owner: Patricia Jones Owner: Shrihari, LLC
Clark started the discussion with the fact that this property first came in front of the board with 120 town homes. This new developer had 70 town homes last month, and now it’s down to 30 single family homes. That is the only change to these plans. The design would still need to be discussed if they get approved. Corbitt asked what was the timing on the residential builds.
The developer (name not identified) said that the residential was much later in the project. The commercial development up front would come first. In 2024 they would be pulling permits but construction would not start until 2025 with residential beginning end of 25 beginning of 26. He added that he appreciated the deferral and that allowed them to find a new builder for the single family homes. The builder that is interested is Smith Douglas and their product is masonry and fiber cement board. It was 70 town homes and the new builder is offering a cottage style home. All of the infrastructure in the development is private. The commercial and residential roads are private. The mixed use is in compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan. The lots in the back have no visibility and therefore do not lend to commercial space. 80-90% of this property is prime for commercial, the unsuitable commercial land will be residential. As to the citizen’s concern about the park on the greenway, it has been moved internally so as not to sit on the greenway. There will be a walkway that leads from the homes to access the greenway. Clark said that this is currently zoned residential and needs to be changed for commercial. Corbitt asked how many homes they could currently build. Clark answered that they could build roughly 28 with the zoning as it stands. Murphy thanked the developer for redoing the plans. The board is currently against new residential developments, but we need more commercial opportunities. We don’t want to lose this commercial development over 30 houses. It is a positive trade off. Martha Wilkinson asked if there had been any more prospects for the commercial spaces since last month. The developer answered that both a medical office and urgent care type facility were interested. GoodWill is also in conversations with the developers. The plans allow for some flexibility with the commercial space. There is still a gas station and a fast food restaurant interested in the spaces on 31W. Wilkinson asked if he had done projects like this before and if they worked. The developer answered that this is a prime location for commercial space especially since it is limited in White House. These will be popular. McCormick said that the entire area reminds him of the new Publix and surrounding space in Gallatin. Corbitt added that the Publix construction here in WH will be finished before this project gets going. This eliminates the issues with construction in that area. McCormick asked if the access issues had been addressed. The developer said they will have to work with TDOT on that. There are a couple of options to be explored. They did remove the access points that the city did not like. Reynolds added that there is not enough information in these plans right now. Currently the right in right out won’t work. The developer then added that if an urgent care is built at the corner of Raymond Hirsch and 31W it won’t need the same access as a gas station. Corbitt asked if this was just to recommend to send this project to BOMA. Clark answered with yes, the various stipulations will be addressed in stages. Murphy recommended approval with a second from Peay. Approved.
Item # 11 Staff: Requests Recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for street acceptance of The Parks Subdivision-Phases 1, 2, and 3. Owner: Heritage Development, LLC The Parks has addressed all items that the public works department asked them to. The recommendation is to send this to BOMA to accept all phases. This project began in 2017 and it is public works approved. Approved
After item 11, Clark wanted to clarify item #8. The owner of the property has done a quick deed to one of his neighbors. There are now 2 lots that he would like to build on. He has found a local, White House builder. If he separates one lot into two, he doesn’t need to come before the planning commission. However, more than two should come before the board. This will come up again soon.
Meeting adjourned.
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