Memphis Zoning Decisions: July 2026

In July 2026, Memphis held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 6 approved (86% approval rate), 1 denied, 1 deferred. Activity was down 13% compared to June (119 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Appeal of Alcohol Commission approval of liquor store at 870 South White Station Road

Denied.

Appeal of Romulus Corporation and others (Busters, DeWines, Liquor Depot) of the Memphis Alcohol Commission's approval of Ethan Edwards'/Grind Management's liquor store at 870 South White Station Road (Memphis Alcohol Commission matter T36342), contesting compliance with the 1,500-foot proximity requirement in ordinance 74-5A/Section 4-5. Appellants argued the measurement should run from the store front along White Station; appellee argued the ordinance's private-street definition (multi-establishment commercial area over two acres) allowed measurement through the private passageway, yielding 1,559.37 feet. Moved to the floor without recommendation. Appeal FAILED: 1 yes (Spinoza), 6 no (Canale, Green, Smiley, Warren, White, Walker, Chair), 2 abstained (Easter-Thomas, Ford). Approval of the liquor store stands.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

ADU variances at 3251 Seminole Road

Approved.

Retroactive approval for a two-story, two-unit accessory dwelling structure at 3251 Seminole Road. Two requests: to allow ADUs exceeding maximum permitted floor area (ground floor 1,239 sq ft, exceeding maximum by 689 sq ft) and to allow the structure to be taller than the principal structure. Applicant Rodney Bell, represented by Cindy Reeves. Building permit was issued in error July of last year; enforcement case started January this year. Approved as conditioned by staff plus a friendly amendment on curb cuts, unanimous roll call.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Consent agenda (items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12)

Approved.

Consent agenda approved as one vote. Includes: item 1 MJR 2026-010 at 1496 Quinn Road (hold one month); item 2 Memphis 3.0 comprehensive plan update (hold); item 3 ZTA 2026-001 UDC amendment (hold); item 5 PD 2026-004 (hold, applicant-requested); item 6 PD 2026-005 town homes at 2604 Huffington Pike (hold); item 7 PD 2026-007 town homes at 795 Tanglewood Street (hold); item 9 S-2026-019 three-lot residential resubdivision at 97 West Falls Road (hold); item 10 S-2026-020 one-lot commercial resubdivision at 6480 Winchester Road (hold); item 12 Z-2026-005 rezoning from conservation agriculture to R6 at 2021 Berry Hill Road (staff recommended approval).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Planned development for manufactured home park at 3723 Thomas Street

Approved.

PD 2026-008, applicant and owner UMH Memphis (United Manufactured Housing / UMH Properties), request to allow a planned development for a manufactured home park at 3723 Thomas Street in unincorporated Shelby County. Split zone conservation agriculture and R6. Minimum lot size 4,000 sq ft, class three landscape buffer, main access on Thomas Street with emergency access from Millington Road. To mirror the Memphis Jazz development across the street. Approved by roll call.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Cell tower special use permit at church in Commission District 12

Deferred.

SUP 2026-011, applicant AT&T (represented by attorney Robert Grant), request for a 155-foot cell tower on an 11-acre church parcel in Commission District 12, R8 zoning. Distance to nearest single-family residential is 185 feet (UDC requires 150). Neighbors from Richwood Homeowner Association opposed citing property value loss, flooding/drainage, and tower height. Board held the item one month for AT&T to return with resolutions to concerns including tower height alternatives and flooding. Motion by Mr. Norman, seconded by Mr. McKinnon, amended to hold one month to return with resolutions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special Use Permit at 2465 Millbrook Avenue

Approved.

Resolution pursuant to chapter 9.6 of the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code approving a special use permit at 2465 Millbrook Avenue, sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development. Moved by Councilman Spinoza, seconded by Councilman Warren. Passed by roll call.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning text amendment ZTA 2026-002 for map repeal and replace process

Approved.

ZTA 2026-002, a text amendment to the UDC clarifying the process to repeal and replace the entire zoning map. Requires initiation by council and commission via resolution, public engagement, mailed notice to owner of every property in jurisdiction (with current and proposed zoning, hearing info, and map review location), and board recommendation. Approved as amended to correct a typo adding 'all properties' language.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Grant acceptance - State of Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs

Approved.

Resolution to accept grant funds in the amount of $591,000 from the State of Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs, all council districts, sponsored by the administration. Same-night minutes requested. Committee recommended approval, moved by Councilman Canale, seconded by Councilman Warren.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• CA → R-6 at 2021 Berry Hill Road, just south of 2047 Berry Hill Road, Cordova

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 16 instances
• residential: 13 instances
• commercial: 10 instances
• adu: 8 instances
• land use: 6 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 78% from June.
• Adu is new this month with 8 mentions, not present in June.
• Land use is new this month with 6 mentions, not present in June.

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