Planning commission approves Russell Plaza

The commission quickly gave approval for Russell Plaza, a 30,000-square foot, two-story medical office building to be located on Frank Martin Road across from the Bedford County Emergency Medical Service offices.

The building is to be named after Dr. William Russell.

The structure is to be the first phase of a medical office complex, with the second phase to be constructed behind the proposed plaza, according to city planning and codes director Kip Green.

The building will be used primarily for office space for local physicians.

Heritage Medical Center CEO Dan Buckner said last week that the hospital would use space in the building, but also added it was too early to speculate on the building's exact use.

However, the commission tabled a site plan approval for a 16,000-square foot office building slated to be built on Airport Business Park Drive adjacent to Heritage Medical Center.

Harold Segroves of Coldwell Banker Segroves Nelson Real Estate, who is working with the hospital on the project, told the commission that they were awaiting final approval for a water line from the Bedford County Utility District, which meets on Sept. 10.

At first, the commission considered approving it contingent on BCUD approval, but did not want to set a precedent. Instead, it was decided to table the matter until next month.

The building is also slated to be an addition to Heritage's medical campus that will contain testing facilities.

Buckner indicated last week that it was too early to say exactly what was to be in the building and that more details would be forthcoming as they are worked out.

The commission also received the final changes to design guidelines that they have been reviewing over the past several months.

The guidelines are intended to be only recommendations to firms and individuals submitting site plans to the city, and, if approved by the city council, the commission would also act as a design review commission, giving feedback to builders on site plans and taking a more active role in the process.

Some members of the commission have expressed reservations about the guidelines, saying that the document contains too many restrictions and would drive off businesses wanting to locate in Shelbyville.

The guidelines will be voted on by the commission at next month's meeting.

The commission also gave approval for a site plan requested by First Church of the Nazarene for an expansion of 46 parking spaces and an extended drive lane with a detention pond at 834 Union St.