Clarksville Plan Commission Meeting - October 7, 2026

The Clarksville Plan Commission met on October 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Municipal Building. The meeting was called to order with a quorum of four members present. The commission approved the minutes from the previous meeting, considered a development plan for a new VA Clinic, and discussed a required public review of housing regulations.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the September 2, 2026 regular session were approved unanimously via voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sally Helbig (resident of 966 Spicewood Drive) expressed concern about the impact of the proposed VA Clinic on her backyard, which has a pool. She asked about possible fencing or additional vegetation to provide privacy. She noted that the nearby medical facility had installed a privacy fence.

Discussion Items

• DP-26-0005: Development Plan Approval for VA Clinic – The applicant, Carnegie Management and Development Corp, presented a plan for a new outpatient VA Clinic on an 8.35-acre vacant site along Clevidence Boulevard. The clinic will be a single-story building of approximately 52,600 square feet with daytime occupancy only. The project includes a 35-foot buffer yard along the rear property line adjacent to R1 homes on Spicewood and Teakwood, with 9 to 12 trees planned. Staff noted that the photometric plan showed an anomalously bright spot (20.5 foot-candles) on the north corner, likely an error, and the buffer yard requirement is discretionary per the Veterans Parkway Corridor zone. The developer agreed to provide an updated lighting plan and to add nine shrubs between the rear trees, contingent upon approval from wastewater (Matt Taylor) due to a 24-inch force main easement. The commission discussed whether the buffer yard was sufficient and whether additional landscaping could be required without overplanting. The developer emphasized a “healing campus” design and noted that VA clinics avoid institutional fencing.
• Discussion of Required Public Review of Development Regulations for Housing in Clarksville – Commissioner Carrie announced a special called plan commission meeting on November 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to hold a state-required public forum on housing. No action will be taken; the forum will cover types of housing, current allowances, and public input. The commission voted to schedule this special meeting.

Key Outcomes

• DP-26-0005 was approved 4-0 with three conditions:
  1. The applicant shall submit an updated photometric plan to staff demonstrating compliant lighting levels (specifically reducing brightness at the north corner).
  2. The 35-foot buffer yard is deemed sufficient to meet the buffer yard requirement for the Veterans Parkway Corridor zone.
  3. The applicant shall install nine additional shrubs (one per existing tree) along the rear property line, subject to approval from the wastewater department (Matt Taylor) regarding the force main easement.
• November 4, 2026 Special Meeting – The commission approved a motion (4-0) to hold a special plan commission meeting at 6:00 p.m. prior to the regular 7:00 p.m. meeting, for the public forum on housing.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.