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Record of Proceedings

Clarksville City Council Meeting - March 26, 2026

City Council — Thursday, March 26, 2026
BodyClarksville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, March 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Consistent with the future land as identified in the 2024 Clarksal Montgomery County comprehensive plan.

0:05

Rezoning is necessary to permit the construction of the new Department of Veteran Affairs Clinic.

Speaker 2

0:11

Lisa, do they have the zoning map?

0:13

Yeah, we'll use that one.

0:15

There we

Unassigned speaker

0:16

go.

Speaker 1

0:19

All right.

0:20

As far as pictures went, there's not a ton of pictures because the road does kind of end back there.

0:24

So we did take a bunch of pictures of a field and where the road construction is quickly moving along.

0:29

We did get a picture of the bridge.

0:31

The steel is up for the decking, and that's looking like it's moving along pretty good out

Unassigned speaker

0:35

there.

Speaker 1

0:36

City Street Department did require a traffic impact study and was provided.

0:42

City Street Department has also reviewed a traffic assessment and accepts the assessment for the purpose of this application.

Unassigned speaker

0:50

The

Speaker 1

0:50

proposed driveway layout aligns with the recent discussion, and the public road connection will not be required.

0:57

They were talking about a different public road in this area.

1:01

Note that for the record, CSD will require a full traffic impact study for the site plan and address any deficiencies with the current assessment at that time.

1:11

The 2040 Spring Creek Parkway background traffic projections were artificially reduced instead of using the requested full build-out volume.

1:19

And the study failed to evaluate a dedicated right turn deceleration lane on Spring Creek Parkway and Fairbrook Place entry.

1:26

So originally this site was only going to access Spring Creek Parkway, and now it's also they have also purchased the C2 parcel to the east, northeast, off of Fairbrook Place.

1:38

So it will have two entries into this parcel.

1:43

The future TIS will evaluate any turning movements, new traffic signal on Spring Creek Parkway from road two, and timing or funding of the signal will be evaluated at the site plan portion of the review.

1:56

There's a blue line stream at the very northern portion of this property where it bends right there.

2:01

The construction will all take place outside of that area.

2:06

No other department comments or concerns.

2:09

The impact of this will be increased traffic, light, and noise associated with this commercial/slash medical potential use.

2:17

In the future land use map, it's a regional commercial and a mixed use area.

2:22

The staff does recommend approval.

2:23

The request is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan.

Unassigned speaker

2:27

The

Speaker 1

2:28

proposed C5 Highway and Arterial District is being proposed at a location that is appropriate within the current roadway network with addition with additional transportation and roadway improvements that are underway fronting this site.

2:41

This aligns with the St.

2:42

Beneral recommendations and coordinating future development with infrastructure improvements, such as those referenced in the previous comments.

Unassigned speaker

2:51

A

Speaker 1

2:51

full revised traffic impact study will be required at the site plan development stage to address site-specific considerations for the transportation-related infrastructure improvements and items not included in the current assessment.

3:04

Planning commission also recommends for approval.

Unassigned speaker

3:07

Thank

Speaker 3

3:07

you, Mr.

3:07

Tendall.

Unassigned speaker

3:08

Councilman Shakenab you recognized.

Speaker 4

3:09

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

3:11

Thank you, Jeff, for that.

3:12

Something that's definitely needed in this area.

3:14

I think this is going to be a pretty large project.

3:16

Just looking at Fairbrook.

3:18

Fairbrook is too close to Kennedy, which is already a disastrous forest traffic.

3:23

And maybe, Mayor, this may be for the Street Department.

3:26

Is there any way we can look at Gibbs Lane connecting another outlet coming from Gibbs Lane?

Speaker 3

3:33

Well, that would be a question for the Street Department.

3:36

Mr.

3:36

Smith, if you don't

Unassigned speaker

3:38

mind.

Speaker 3

3:41

Councilman Shakenum, if you don't mind, ask your question.

Speaker 4

3:44

Mr.

3:45

Smith, yes.

3:46

Have we thought about or is there any way we can start looking at maybe trying to acquire that ag land, at least a strip of it to connect from Gibbs Lane over to North

Speaker 5

3:56

Edgewood?

3:57

That is possible as if Mr.

3:58

Tyndall mentioned there is a blue line stream that chases through there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Procedural████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Environmental Protection███3%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Clarksville City Council Meeting - March 26, 2026

The Clarksville City Council met on March 26, 2026 at 4:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proposed rezoning for a new VA clinic, extensive debate over a rezoning with stormwater concerns on Old Russelville Pike, approval of consent agenda items and committee reports, a presentation on police starting pay, and designation of memorial roadways.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent agenda, which included second-reading zoning changes (Ordinances 39, 59, 60, 62, 63), appointments to various boards (Resolution 51), and adoption of minutes from February 11 and March 5, 2026. Ordinance 47 (rezoning on Old Russelville Pike) was removed for separate discussion and a detailed presentation.

Discussion Items

VA Clinic Rezoning (Ordinance 65-2025-26, First Reading)

  • RPC Director Jeffrey Tyndall presented a request to rezone a tract on Edgewood Place from AG Agricultural District to C-5 Highway & Arterial Commercial District to allow construction of a new Department of Veteran Affairs Clinic (approximately 300,000 square feet, three-story building). Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval, citing consistency with the 2024 comprehensive plan and required infrastructure improvements.
  • Councilman Shakeenab said the clinic is “definitely needed in this area” but raised traffic concerns on Fairbrook and Kennedy. Street Department Director Smith discussed potential road connections and grade challenges.
  • Councilman Lovato asked about the certainty of the project; the Mayor responded it was “more solid than some of the other deals.” Councilman Brown confirmed the adjacent C2 parcel would be used for parking and access only.
  • No vote was taken (first reading).

Old Russelville Pike Rezoning (Ordinance 47-2025-26, Second Reading)

  • Street Department Director Smith presented a detailed history of stormwater and flooding issues at and around 1911 Old Russelville Pike, including a 1997-1998 pipe installation with RJ Corman that led to notices of violation from the Army Corps of Engineers and TDEC. The pipe was later dammed, and any new work would require federal and state approvals.
  • Councilman Chandler expressed strong support for the developer, stating: “I have never seen a developer that has gone through the length to come in there and say hey I’m willing to do this.” He added that rejecting the rezoning would allow 35 homes with no improvements, while approval would bring a larger development with stormwater fixes.
  • Councilman Claunch (Eric) cited city growth data (nearly 20,000 new residents from 2021 to 2024, 127 people per week) and the need for housing. He said the developer “is offering a solution to a problem that has been here a long time.”
  • Council members noted they cannot impose conditional zoning, but the developer’s planned stormwater improvements (including an 18-inch pipe) were discussed. Councilman Marquis noted a third-party engineering firm also believed the development would address flooding.
  • No final vote was recorded in the transcript; the item was on the consent agenda and appeared to be approved after discussion.

Police Starting Pay Presentation

  • Chief Ty Burdine presented on the need to increase starting pay for police officers to $57,712, citing 56 operational vacancies, 83 officers leaving in two years (51 for other employment), and a 14% decrease in qualified applicants.
  • The proposed increase includes equity adjustments for patrol officers through sergeants to mitigate salary compression. The cost for the remainder of the fiscal year (starting April) is $810,000, to be funded through salary savings from existing vacancies.
  • Chief Burdine noted that at a recent testing event, only 4 of 38 candidates were hired. He warned that without action, the department cannot sustain staffing.
  • Councilman Streetman thanked the chief for his work. Councilman Chandler raised budget concerns but said he had “every faith in the world” in the chief. The chief confirmed he would work within the budget.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda Approved: All consent items except Ordinance 47 were approved. Ordinance 47 was discussed at length and approved as part of the consent agenda.
  • Resolutions Approved: Resolution 48 (patrol dog Riggs retirement and donation to Officer Pacheco), Resolution 49 (actuarial study for hazardous duty benefit, ~$400 cost, 3-month timeline), and Resolution 50 (interlocal agreement with Montgomery County for 2025 Byrne Justice Grant funds) were approved.
  • Memorial Roadways Designated: Resolution 52 designating Spring Creek Parkway as Pastor Willie J. Freeman Memorial Parkway and Resolution 53 designating Peachers Mill Road as Reverend Alvin O. Oldham Sr. Memorial Road were approved.
  • Police Pay Increase Presented: The council received the presentation; formal approval will be considered during the budget process.
  • Upcoming Special Sessions: The Mayor announced special sessions in the coming weeks for a public safety ordinance and an affordable housing project.
  • Public Comments: No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Meeting Transcript

Consistent with the future land as identified in the 2024 Clarksal Montgomery County comprehensive plan. Rezoning is necessary to permit the construction of the new Department of Veteran Affairs Clinic. Lisa, do they have the zoning map? Yeah, we'll use that one. There we go. All right. As far as pictures went, there's not a ton of pictures because the road does kind of end back there. So we did take a bunch of pictures of a field and where the road construction is quickly moving along. We did get a picture of the bridge. The steel is up for the decking, and that's looking like it's moving along pretty good out there. City Street Department did require a traffic impact study and was provided. City Street Department has also reviewed a traffic assessment and accepts the assessment for the purpose of this application. The proposed driveway layout aligns with the recent discussion, and the public road connection will not be required. They were talking about a different public road in this area. Note that for the record, CSD will require a full traffic impact study for the site plan and address any deficiencies with the current assessment at that time. The 2040 Spring Creek Parkway background traffic projections were artificially reduced instead of using the requested full build-out volume. And the study failed to evaluate a dedicated right turn deceleration lane on Spring Creek Parkway and Fairbrook Place entry. So originally this site was only going to access Spring Creek Parkway, and now it's also they have also purchased the C2 parcel to the east, northeast, off of Fairbrook Place. So it will have two entries into this parcel. The future TIS will evaluate any turning movements, new traffic signal on Spring Creek Parkway from road two, and timing or funding of the signal will be evaluated at the site plan portion of the review. There's a blue line stream at the very northern portion of this property where it bends right there. The construction will all take place outside of that area. No other department comments or concerns. The impact of this will be increased traffic, light, and noise associated with this commercial/slash medical potential use. In the future land use map, it's a regional commercial and a mixed use area. The staff does recommend approval. The request is consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan. The proposed C5 Highway and Arterial District is being proposed at a location that is appropriate within the current roadway network with addition with additional transportation and roadway improvements that are underway fronting this site. This aligns with the St. Beneral recommendations and coordinating future development with infrastructure improvements, such as those referenced in the previous comments. A full revised traffic impact study will be required at the site plan development stage to address site-specific considerations for the transportation-related infrastructure improvements and items not included in the current assessment. Planning commission also recommends for approval. Thank you, Mr. Tendall. Councilman Shakenab you recognized. Yes, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Jeff, for that. Something that's definitely needed in this area. I think this is going to be a pretty large project. Just looking at Fairbrook. Fairbrook is too close to Kennedy, which is already a disastrous forest traffic. And maybe, Mayor, this may be for the Street Department. Is there any way we can look at Gibbs Lane connecting another outlet coming from Gibbs Lane? Well, that would be a question for the Street Department.

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