Smyrna council denies rezoning request for 519 Noel Lane amid neighbor concerns about spot zoning and parking
Summary
Council voted to deny a rezoning request that would have converted a small R‑3 lot at 519 Noel Lane to C‑4, citing neighbor concerns about spot zoning, parking, traffic and construction impacts; staff had recommended the applicant’s request but several council members preferred a PID or P and O option.
The Smyrna Town Council voted to deny a request to rezone 0.281 acres at 519 Noel Lane from R‑3 to C‑4 after extended discussion and public concern.
Kevin, planning staff, told the council that C‑4 is a neighborhood service business district that allows offices, small retail, salons and limited restaurants (without drive‑throughs), and that Planning Commission recommended approval. Neighbors and several council members raised objections centered on spot zoning, potential traffic and parking impacts, hours of construction, and compatibility with adjacent residential uses.
Council members debated whether a P and O or a PID would be more appropriate for the parcel and emphasized the need for buffering, site plan review, and parking limits if a commercial use were to proceed. One council member summarized the objections by noting that, were the parcel not fronting on Old Nashville Highway, they would not support a commercial rezoning.
After discussion the council moved to deny the rezoning request; the motion carried.
