Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting - November 19, 2025

The Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals met on November 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Clarksville Administration Building. The board reviewed six agenda items, including variances, a use variance, and a special exception. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 8:56 p.m. The board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 24, 2025 regular session.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from September 24, 2025 regular session was moved and seconded, passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For V-25-0009 (Addiction Therapy Center), multiple speakers from St. Anthony's Catholic Parish opposed the use variance. Friar John Bahn, Stephanie Tucker (principal), John Gelke (former town council member), and Tony Singleton presented arguments that the proposal failed to meet all six legal standards for a use variance, citing safety concerns for children, adverse effects on property value and school enrollment, lack of peculiar hardship, interference with the comprehensive plan, and no extraordinary need. Bill Hudson, former pastor of Return Church, spoke in support, emphasizing the church's long-standing ministry to vulnerable populations and the compatibility of the proposed use.
• For other items, no public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• V-25-0011 (Corner Lot Fence, 1745 Elmwood): Erik Ortega requested a variance for a privacy fence in the front yard of a corner lot. The existing fence had been replaced in the same footprint. Staff recommended approval with condition to complete fence waiver paperwork. The board approved unanimously.
• V-25-0012 (Lot width and landscaping, 407 Lyons Ave): Eric Merton sought variances for lot width (reduction from 40 ft to 23.68 ft) and landscaping (reduction by 50%) for two duplexes. Staff recommended approval. The board approved both variances separately, with the landscaping variance conditioned on no chain-link fence in the front yard. Unanimous.
• V-25-0013 (Front yard setback, 607 Evergreen): Joe Craig requested a variance for a covered front porch extending 12 ft from the property line (required 25 ft). Staff recommended approval. Board approved unanimously with condition that the porch does not extend further.
• V-25-0009 (Addiction Therapy Center, 435 Eastern Blvd): Brad Keith and attorney Craig Imig represented the applicant for a use variance to operate an addiction therapy and counseling center at Return Church. The operation would serve 40-80 clients (range 20-100) during weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no medication on site and clients transported by van. Staff report noted that the proposal did not meet several criteria: likely adverse effects on adjacent property values, lack of practical difficulty, and no unnecessary hardship. After extensive public testimony and board discussion, a motion to deny was made and seconded, and the board voted unanimously to deny the use variance.
• V-25-0008 (Use Variance, G&G Excavating, 2505 Lincoln Drive): Michael Wilder requested a variance to operate an excavating company. Staff recommended approval with conditions: no storage of excavation debris on site, and all work vehicles and equipment must be screened behind a fence. Board added a condition for additional landscaping along the Discovery Trail to provide screening. The variance was approved unanimously.
• SE-25-0002 / V-25-0015 (Special Exception, Providence Place, 704-716 Providence Way): Camille Hessen presented a request for a special exception to construct a 36-unit multifamily development and a variance for a 3-foot parking setback encroachment. Staff noted that the special exception is mandatory if criteria are met, and the board found compliance. The special exception was approved unanimously, and the variance was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• V-25-0011: Approved with condition.
• V-25-0012: Both variances approved with conditions.
• V-25-0013: Approved with condition.
• V-25-0009: Denied.
• V-25-0008: Approved with conditions.
• SE-25-0002 / V-25-0015: Special exception and variance approved.
• The board also noted that the Little Theater lighting issue has been resolved (street lights were the primary cause) and set the December meeting date to December 17, 2025 (third Wednesday).