CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Regional Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a 61-acre rezone near Wilma Rudolph Boulevard and North Edgewood Place, with the land set to be the home of Clarksville’s planned 235,000-square-foot VA Clinic.
They also heard from a member of the development team, who shared details about the expectations with the project, as well as sharing some details about the timeline.
Background of proposed rezone
The rezone request proposed for the 61.82 acres transition from agriculture district to C-5 highway and arterial commercial district.
North Edgewood is part of the under-construction Spring Creek Parkway, which will connect Wilma Rudolph Boulevard to Trenton Road. The planned 235,000-square-foot VA Clinic will be just to the west of the Walmart Supercenter.
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VA Clinic developer shares what’s next
Rustom Khouri III spoke on behalf of the developer for the project, Carnegie Management & Development Corporation, based out of Westlake, Ohio, during the RPC meeting.
Khouri said that the objective they’ve been given by the Department of Veteran Affairs is clear: to get this project off the ground as quickly as possible. “This community has been waiting a long time to see a facility of this scale available in Clarksville to serve the growing veteran population,” he said. “So, we’re extremely excited to be at this point having the deal officially awarded by the VA.”
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Khouri said they will work hand-in-hand with the City of Clarksville, as well as the State of Tennessee, to try and work towards a Land Disturbance Permit for this summer. “So, obviously, your consideration and timely concurrence on this request is critical to our objectives,” he told the RPC.
The VA has said the expectation is that the clinic will open in 2030.
12th major VA clinic for site developer
Khouri said Carnegie Management has a long history and deeply rooted relationship with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. He said the VA Clinic in Clarksville will be the 12th major clinic they will have developed for the VA.
“All of those we still own and manage, so our strategy is long-term ownership. We are not merchant builders, so building connections with the community in which we develop is of critical importance, whether it be today, tomorrow, or for what we hope to be the next 40 years,” he said.
“That’s truly how we view these projects, in trying to build an ecosystem that can be both sustainable and allow the VA to optimize its delivery of healthcare to the veterans, but also be really a pleasant environment.”
Khouri said they will look to include gardens and walking trails in the project.
RPC and staff recommend approval, City Council next
RPC Deputy Director John Spainhoward Jr. said the Clarksville Street Department has requested a traffic assessment, which has been provided by the applicant.
The Future Land Use Map indicated the acreage as regional and commercial mixed use, and the RPC staff recommended approval since it’s consistent with the goals and objectives of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan, said Spainhoward.
“The proposed C-5 highway and arterial commercial district is being proposed in a location that is appropriate with the current roadway network with additional transportation and improvement construction projects that are underway fronting this site, of which I reference Spring Creek Parkway,” he said.
Spainhoward also said this request aligns with the St. Bethlehem general recommendation of coordinating future development with infrastructure improvements. “A full revised traffic impact study will have to be required at the site plan development stage to address specific site considerations for transportation-related infrastructure improvements, and items not included in the current assessment,” Spainhoward said.
The RPC Board of Commissioners unanimously recommended rezoning approval, and the proposal is now set to go before the City Council on Thursday, March 26, at 4:30 p.m.
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