By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The Paris Municipal Regional Planning Commission voted Thursday evening to recommend that the Paris City Commission not approve the rezoning request for property at 43 Hillcrest Dr.
The vote was taken after much discussion by the panel and a presentation from Justin Stutzman, owner of the property.
Stutzman had requested rezoning from R-1L (Residential Low Density) to B-1 9 (Highway Commercial District). His property is directly across the street from the under-construction Scooter’s Coffee Drive-Thru. He said potential buyers of his property have liked their home, but not the location with a drive-thru being built adjacent to it.
Rebecca Renkel, Assistant Building & Codes Officer, said if the property is changed to commercial, “it could never be residential again”.
City Manager Kim Foster asked Stutzman, “Aren’t you afraid you’re limiting yourself with this? There are so many caveats to this, if the zoning is changed. And why ask for this ahead of time?”
Stutzman said, “We just don’t have a lot of options. Our neighborhood voted against it (against Scooter’s being located there) and it was a disappointment to us that it was approved.”
Commission Member Richard Edwards noted that the typography of the Stutzman property would not lend itself to commercial zoning. “There’s a slope and lots of trees” in the back area, which would require a lot of dirt work and cutting down of trees to prepare the property.
The Commission voted to send the request back to the City Commission with the recommendation it not be approved.
In other business:
–Election of officers was held, with long-time Chairperson Rachel Terrell saying she would prefer not acting as Chairman any more. “I’ve done this a long time”, she said. Richard Edwards was elected Chairman, with Terrell as Vice-Chairman and Brent Greer as Secretary.
–Community Development Director Jessica Crouch noted that “2025 was a busy and exciting year for the Planning Commission. We saw steady growth in our community with new residential and commercial projects. The Planning Commission had an active and productive year in 2025, continuing the upward trend in growth.”
The Commission reviewed 55 items, a significant increase from 37 in 2024 and 14 in 2023, reflecting steady growth and community development.
Highlights of 2025 include:
–17 Major Site Plans
–10 Combination Plats and 8 Minor Subdivision Plats
–6 Rezoning Requests and 2 Zoning Amendments
–Additional actions included 5 zoning verification letters, 3 special use permits and several unique cases such as a moratorium, variances and undeveloped alley considerations.
“Overall, it was a year of pgoress and laying the groundwork for even bigger things in 2026,” she said.
Photo: Justin Stutzman presents his rezoning request to the Commission and city officials. Shannon McFarlin photo.