Planning Department

Annexation

The city expands its corporate boundaries to include adjoining areas through the annexation process. In Murfreesboro, the property owner requests approximately 95 percent of all annexations. In most cases, the property owner submits a letter to the planning commission requesting annexation in order to receive city services.

In order to invite public participation, the city's planning process exceeds the requirements of state law. The city's seven-member planning commission conducts a public hearing after a legal notice and map are published in the Daily News Journal and sent to all property owners within 250 feet of the proposed area of annexation. Signs are also posted on the property.

At the scheduled public hearing, any interested person may address the planning commission for or against the proposed annexation. The planning commission also reviews a plan for services, which is prepared by the city's planning staff. The plan for services assesses the impact of the annexation on police, fire, water/sewer, schools and other city services. The commission will recommend to city council approval or denial of the annexation.

After receiving the planning commission's recommendation, city council conducts a public hearing following the same notification procedures. An annexation ordinance is considered by city council, which requires three readings. If approved on third and final reading, an annexation is effective 60 days later.

In most cases, annexed land is undeveloped. As the newly annexed property is developed, the developer is responsible for building and funding utilities and roads.

The Murfreesboro Historic Zoning Commission, also continuously active, issued several Certificates of Appropriateness.To see a detailed explanation of commission functions, go to the historic zoning section.

Welcome!

from Joseph Aydelott, Planning Director

and Chris Griffith, Engineering Director

The Murfreesboro Planning Department is responsible for coordinating the physical development of the city. In order to do this the planning staff is available to assist the public to obtain information regarding use and development of land in the city and to review development plans for conformance with the city's ordinances and development regulations.

Whether by telephone or in person, it is our goal to provide prompt, courteous, and professional assistance. We invite the pubic to call upon us with their inquiries regarding such matters as zoning, floodplain management, annexation, land development, land subdivision, historic zoning, and property addressing. The information on these pages is intended to be basic information regarding the department. We invite your calls and inquiries for more specific information and would welcome you to visit the planning department in person on the second floor of City Hall.

The goal of the engineering department is to provide our citizens with good, safe streets and storm drainage that functions well. Our staff is committed to improving our streets and drainage systems and we would welcome the opportunity to answer your questions.