CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville City Council approved several proposals on Thursday night during both a special session meeting and their regular session council meeting for May.

Proposals approved included the second reading of the new VA Clinic rezone, the second reading of the Frosty Morn PUD rezone and the second reading of an ordinance that creates new sprinkler requirements for stacked duplexes.

Sprinkler requirements for stacked duplexes

Close-up of a small recessed ceiling light fixture mounted to a white ceiling, showing metal housing and a red inner component.
Sprinkler system (Metro Creative).

During their special session meeting at 5 p.m., the council took up the proposal on sprinkler requirements for stacked duplexes.

Last week, Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Mike Reed addressed the council on the importance of the configuration of sprinklers. He said that in the ordinance, they aren’t talking about anything other than a duplex in a stacked configuration.

While some said they were curious if they can find another way forward to not only address safety but affordability as well, the council approved the first reading last week 9-3.

This week, Councilperson Ambar Marquis said, “I believe policy decisions need to take the full picture into account, not just focus on one issue in isolation,” she said. “Safety is important, but so is housing affordability, economic growth and the ability for the city to continue developing in a sustainable way.”

Marquis said these goals do not need to compete with each other, rather, the city can address safety while trying to keep housing attainable and supporting responsible development.

The council approved the second reading of the ordinance 9-2 with Marquis and Travis Holleman voting against. Council members Wanda Smith and Jerry Haywood were absent from the special session meeting.

New VA Clinic, Frosty Morn PUD application

Also approved during the council’s regular session meeting on Thursday were two rezone applications on second reading.

Rendering of new state-of-the-art Clarksville VA Clinic. (Contributed by Carnegie Management)

The first dealt with the proposed 254,000-square-foot, four-story Clarksville Multi-Specialty VA Clinic. The second dealt with the Frosty Morn site and the city’s PUD application.

Funded by the PACT Act, the new VA Clinic will provide a multitude of health care services ranging from primary care to mental health to specialty care, including cardiology, physical therapy and surgical procedures, to more than 39,500 enrolled veterans, according to previous reports.

As part of the consent agenda, the City Council unanimously approved the proposed rezone. The Clarksville Multi-Specialty VA Clinic is slated to open by 2030 and will be located on Spring Creek Parkway, just off Wilma Rudolph Boulevard.

Renderings shared for the proposed development of affordable senior housing at the Frosty Morn property. (Regional Planning Commission, Contributed)
Renderings shared for the proposed development of affordable senior housing at the Frosty Morn property. (Regional Planning Commission, Contributed)

As for the requested Frosty Morn PUD rezone for affordable senior housing, it was also approved by the City Council during second reading. While it was on the consent agenda, Councilpersons Wanda Smith and Carlos Peters registered no votes for the proposal.

According to previous reports, the City of Clarksville’s plan is for the affordable senior housing development, at 625 Frosty Morn Drive, to be a four-story, approximately 65,000-square-foot building. There’s expected to be 49 one-bedroom apartment units and 16 two-bedroom apartment units. These units are expected to be designed to meet modern accessibility, safety and energy efficient standards.

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