Committee of the Whole Meeting - A. MAX BACON CITY HALL, HR TRAINING ROOM — Minutes
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November 13, 2025 6:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Human Resources Training Room Page 2 of 5 LIC2025-039: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, stated that Smyrna’s code requires 1,000 linear feet distance between other pawn establishments. There is another title pawn location within 850 linear feet. The applicant is arguing that if one were to take direct path of travel it is 1,044 feet, but that is not what code says, so staff is recommending denial. There is no provision in the ordinance to allow for this as reviewed by counsel. Z25-007: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, explained that the applicant is requesting a rezoning from OI to MU-Conditional for a mixed-use development with 250 multi-family units and 2,500 sq. ft. of retail. The future land is Industrial and a land use change to Mixed-Use is required. Community Development is not supportive of the change in zoning from OI to MU- Conditional and the accompanying land use change from Industrial to Mixed Use. No land use changes have occurred to the surrounding area since the adoption of the 2040 Comprehensive Future Land Use Plan, thus, there are no changing conditions to support the proposed zoning and land use change. A rezoning to MU-Conditional is incompatible with the surrounding uses and the MU- Conditional zoning does not provide greater benefit to the city compared to the current OI zoning. Additionally, Community Development has concerns with the introduction of multi- family units along the Highlands Pkwy corridor which is occupied with commercial. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and Community Development recommend denial of the rezoning from OI to MU-Conditional at 0 Highlands Pkwy. The next major Comprehensive Plan that is done every ten years has to be completed by October 2027. Blake Brady with Wood Partner presented brief highlights. Councilmember Oglesby mentioned that having a traffic light added will help with traffic flow. Mr. Brady stated that after speaking to Councilmember Oglesby, they will set aside five affordable units with rents at 80% area median income. The property is located within the Highlands Parkway Property Owner’s Association. The Highlands Parkway Board recommended approval and ownership overwhelmingly supports this development with 18 ‘yes’ votes out of 24 total members. Councilmember Hines recommended that the presentation be handled on Monday. Z25-013: Russell Martin, Community Development Director, explained that Arrow Waste has applied for a special land use permit to allow a modular office and storage container at 6310 Riverview Road. A 6,000 gallon above ground fuel tank will also be utilized which has received approval by the City and State Fire Marshal. The fuel tank is not part of the Special Land Use permit. The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve the request by a vote of 4-1 at the October 13, 2025, meeting. The subject property is 2.06 acres in area and is zoned HI (Heavy Industrial). The subject property is used for storage of commercial and passenger vehicles for a waste company. The adjacent properties to the north, south, east and west are zoned MU (Mixed Use). The property to the north is occupied with townhomes and multi-family to the east. The property to the west is vacant, and the property to the south is occupied with a parking facility.