Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Summary - May 27, 2026

The Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals met on May 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM to consider five variance applications. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, discussion of proposed developments, and decisions on parking, height, setback, use, and smoke shop variances. Key outcomes included approvals for a senior living facility, a front porch addition, a pallet operation, and a smoke shop, while a trailer parking application was withdrawn to seek a sales variance.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke for or against any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• V268 – Semi‑Trailer Parking Variance (Cotter Drive & Progress Way): Applicant Chris Long (Prime AE) and property owner Corey Ward initially requested a use variance for semi‑trailer parking on a vacant lot. During discussion, they clarified the intended use as a showroom for new trailers (for Trophy Lease, a subsidiary of Apex Trailer), not general parking. Staff attorney Alex noted the public notice only covered parking, not sales, and that a separate variance would be needed for vehicle sales. After deliberation, the board voted to allow the withdrawal of the parking variance application so the applicant could reapply for a sales use variance. Motion to withdraw approved.

• V260010 – Parking and Height Variances for Senior Living (2412 Admore Lane): Doug Sellers (Say Back Wilson and Lingo) and Josh Hooper (Beacon Properties) presented a 150‑unit senior independent living facility (Allen’s Place). They requested:

  • Parking variance: Reduce from 2 spaces per unit (300 spaces) to 1.5 spaces per unit (225 spaces). Staff noted that 8 of the last 10 multifamily projects in Clarksville had requested parking reductions, and the ordinance’s unit‑based requirement may be excessive, especially for seniors (average resident age ~75).
  • Height variance: Increase from the R3‑zone limit of 40 ft to 52 ft 2 in to accommodate a sloped roof. The applicant argued a pitched roof is necessary for cost effectiveness and to screen rooftop HVAC units, and that the height is comparable to nearby hotels (Comfort Inn 53 ft, Candlewood Suites 52 ft). The board found a practical difficulty for both variances and approved them separately. Motion to approve parking variance passed. Motion to approve height variance passed.

• V260011 – Front Yard Setback Variance (1507 Black Stanton View Drive): Applicant Yessi Hernandez requested a development standard variance to build a covered front porch extending 2 ft into the required 20‑ft front setback. Staff reported that the building line along the street varies, and strict application would create a practical difficulty. The board approved the variance unanimously. Motion to approve passed.

• V260012 – Use Variance for Pallet Operation (2100 Future Drive): Charles Waters (A1 Pallets) requested a use variance to operate a pallet company on a 20‑acre I‑1 zoned site. The business currently operates at a legal non‑conforming location on Progress Way and is overcrowded. Staff noted that while there is no extraordinary need, the investment in the property and the need for more space constitute a hardship. The board approved the variance, emphasizing the relocation frees up the current site for redevelopment and the new site has a treed buffer from nearby residential uses. Motion to approve passed.

• V260013 – Use Variance for Smoke Shop (1401 Veterans Parkway Court, Suite 200): Patrick Rooney represented applicant Salal Al Sumat, who had already leased and prepared the space for a smoke shop. The use is not permitted in the VPCZ zone. Staff revealed an email from September 2025 to a previous attorney (not the current one) stating the use was prohibited, but the applicant claimed they were told otherwise by city officials. The board found the six criteria for a use variance satisfied, including hardship due to the lease and permits already obtained, and approved the variance. Motion to approve passed.

Key Outcomes

• Withdrawal: V268 (semi‑trailer parking) withdrawn; applicant to seek a sales use variance.
• Approved: V260010 – parking reduction (300 to 225 spaces) and height increase (40 ft to 52 ft 2 in) for Allen’s Place Senior Living.
• Approved: V260011 – front porch setback reduction (2 ft into 20‑ft setback) at 1507 Black Stanton View Drive.
• Approved: V260012 – use variance for A1 Pallets pallet operation at 2100 Future Drive.
• Approved: V260013 – use variance for smoke shop at 1401 Veterans Parkway Court.
• Next Steps: The board discussed cancelling the June 2026 meeting due to only three members being available. No further applications had been received as of the meeting date.