The Murfreesboro City Council met briefly Thursday evening for consideration of a relatively short agenda, which included a rezoning and annexation request.

Assistant City Planner Margaret Ann Ely recommended annexation and rezoning of approximately 47 acres owned by the Mary Murfree Family Partnership along South Rutherford Boulevard and South Church Street.

Applicants Matt, Bob and Bricke Murfree requested rezoning of the property from the county's industrial designation to heavy industrial simultaneous with annexation.

Ely indicated Metal Max Inc. has hired a local engineer to produce a site plan for the site in an attempt to expand its current South Church Street and Old Hickory operations. The recommendation gained unanimous approval.

City Planning Director Joseph Aydelott then recommended a Thursday, Aug. 23, public hearing for the Airport Expansion proposal from the Murfreesboro Planning Commission. The public hearing request gained unanimous approval.

In the "other business" portion of the agenda, Councilman Shane McFarland reminded the council that City Manager Rob Lyons is working on a plan for a "one stop shop" for those navigating the city's development process.

Service Excellence Coordinator Shannon Logan was recently hired to implement and guide such a program, among other responsibilities.

The plan followed a visit to Florence, Ala., by officials from various departments and councilmen, which gave a first hand look at what such a program entails.

"The one stop shop coordinator will provide small businesses (that) are navigating the city's site plan and rezoning process the ability to have a single advocate in the administration who can help inform applicants of proper procedures and communicate effectively between the various departments such as building, codes, planning and engineering," McFarland said.

"This will allow applicants a single source for proper information regarding paperwork, inspections and meeting procedures, instead of having to go from department to department themselves," Lyons said.

Lyons informed the City Council the plan should be on the agenda for consideration in no more than 60 days.