The Maryville Board of Zoning Appeals approved the first use of the city’s new Industrial Campus Lodging Facility zone May 18 for firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson — much to the chagrin of residential neighbors who fear the move will only increase activity at the site’s already noisy training facilities.
Board members voted unanimously to approve a special exception permit for a 12-room, 13,500-square-foot lodging facility to be built at 1852 Proffitt Springs Road. Chris Soro of C2RL Engineers presented the application and assured board members the new building would comply with the city’s guidelines for the newly adopted zone.
“This is a permanent structure that would be very similar to the Clayton Homes Lodge, which we also designed. It’s specifically there only for customers and people using the training facilities there at Smith & Wesson,” Soro said. “It has no commercial application, and it won’t be seen from Proffitt Springs Road. It’s far enough off the road that you won’t even see the facility.”…