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Agricultural Parcel Poses Zoning Challenge for Expansive Mixed-Use Project

Issue #426

May 04, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 60 & low of 47

📰 Agricultural Parcel Poses Zoning Challenge for Expansive Mixed-Use Project

📰 Ultium Cells and Boys & Girls Club Celebrate Earth Day With Youth Birdhouse Build

📌 Dierks Bentley to Headline Nashville’s Free July 4th Celebration

🎵 Today’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Sunday, May 4th

Monday, May 5th

Tuesday, May 6th

Wednesday, May 7th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

May 1 - 18: Fiddler on the Roof at Packard Playhouse
May 29 - 31: Music City Rodeo

Agricultural Parcel Poses Zoning Challenge for Expansive Mixed-Use Project

A rezoning request for a small section of land off Port Royal Road is currently under review by the Spring Hill Planning Commission. Though the request involves only 1.92 acres, it plays a key role in a much larger proposed development called Eastport Farms.

The broader project, presented in March by Gamble Design Collaborative, spans more than 47 acres between Derryberry Lane and Jim Warren Road. Preliminary plans for the development include retail, hotel, multi-family, and other commercial uses.

The complication lies in the fact that a portion of the land is still zoned for agriculture, which under Spring Hill’s Unified Development Code, prohibits inclusion in a Planned Development Plan (PDP). To resolve this, a request has been submitted to rezone that segment to C-4 commercial zoning.

City staff reviewed the request and raised concerns about the potential impact of the proposed zoning. C-4 designation would allow for significantly higher development density, resulting in increased demand on utilities such as water and sewer services.

A memorandum issued last summer advised city leadership to limit new developments that increase sewer usage unless progress is made on key infrastructure projects, including wastewater treatment expansion and water purification efforts.

Due to these capacity concerns, staff recommended an alternative zoning designation, such as rural agricultural (RA) or rural residential (RR), which would permit limited single-family development. However, the applicant did not accept that recommendation, citing concerns that it would not align with the city’s long-term land use plans.

While the Planning Commission has not yet made a decision, discussion during the work session acknowledged that intermediate zoning could serve as a temporary measure until a final decision is made on the full development plan. No official action was taken at the meeting.

Ultium Cells and Boys & Girls Club Celebrate Earth Day With Youth Birdhouse Build

Credit: Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee

To mark Earth Day, Ultium Cells teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of South Central Tennessee to host a birdhouse-building activity, aiming to connect local students with nature while highlighting environmental awareness and STEM education.

On Tuesday, April 22, 24 students from kindergarten through fourth grade gathered at Spring Hill Elementary as part of the Boys & Girls Club's afterschool program. Working in small groups alongside Ultium Cells volunteers, the children built birdhouses and engaged in conversations about caring for the environment and protecting nature in everyday ways.

The event served as both a creative outlet and a learning opportunity, encouraging young participants to explore how small actions can support sustainability.

Ultium Cells, a battery cell manufacturing company, is focused on promoting a zero-waste strategy and advancing clean energy solutions. By supporting educational initiatives like this, the company aims to inspire the next generation to value sustainability and environmental stewardship.

 Dierks Bentley to Headline Nashville’s Free July 4th Celebration

Video: On April 28th, Dierks Bentley shut down lower Broadway in Nashville for a concert.

Country music star Dierks Bentley will headline Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th celebration, presented by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. The free downtown event features one of the nation's largest Independence Day fireworks and drone shows, synchronized with live music performed by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.

Joining Bentley on the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage at Broadway and First Avenue will be Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon, and 18-year-old guitarist Grace Bowers. The celebration promises a mix of country music and family-friendly entertainment.

The festivities will also include the Amazon Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park, offering daytime activities and performances from a variety of genres. Scheduled performers include Walker Montgomery, The Nashville Soul Experience, Alicia Blue, KIRWAN the band, and Les Kerr and The Bayou Band.

Bentley, a long-established name in country music, is preparing to release his 11th studio album, Broken Branches, on June 13. With a career that includes multiple chart-topping albums and songs, he brings added star power to an event designed to showcase Nashville’s vibrant music scene and boost local tourism and hospitality.

🎵 Today’s Live Music

Sunday, May 4th

Cliftones, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Reba’s Hairdo, Fozzy’s, 4:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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