Council Advances Rezoning for Encompass Health Hospital
Clarksville City Council approved the rezoning on first reading and also backed state safety upgrades along State Route 12.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in City Hall
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The Clarksville City Council approved on first reading a rezoning of land at Athletic Avenue and Dunlop Lane for the planned Encompass Health rehabilitation hospital, passing 12-1 with a second vote still required. The council also unanimously approved a Tennessee Department of Transportation proposal for safety and road improvements along State Route 12.
Why it matters
The rezoning changes the property from C-3 Regional Shopping Center District to C-2 General Commercial District within the planned Freedom Farms development across from Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital. Regional Planning Commission staff and board unanimously recommended approval before the council meeting.
The rezoning passed 12-1 on first reading and the TDOT Bypass measure passed 13-0, with the state-led project adding a new traffic signal, dedicated turn lanes, updated signage and pavement striping on the Glendale Drive corridor. A second rezoning vote remains before the change is final.
The players
Clarksville City Council
The elected legislative body of Clarksville, Tennessee, which votes on zoning ordinances and city agreements.
Encompass Health
A national provider of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals that is planning a facility on the rezoned Athletic Avenue site.
Tennessee Department of Transportation
The state agency that proposed the safety and road improvements along State Route 12 in Clarksville.
Centerstone
A nonprofit behavioral health provider that signed a memorandum of understanding with the city for a mobile crisis team.
The details
The property sits on the southern frontage of Athletic Avenue at its southeast corner with Dunlop Lane. Separately, the council endorsed a memorandum of understanding with Centerstone for a Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Team, supported by a four-year SAMHSA grant of $750,000 annually.
Timeline
Thursday (week of Nov. 9, 2026): Council approved the rezoning on first reading, the TDOT proposal and the Centerstone memorandum.
Political Context
The rezoning moves land within the Freedom Farms development from a regional shopping classification to general commercial use, extending the medical and commercial build-out planned across from Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital. The council's advance of the Centerstone crisis team agreement adds a behavioral health service layer to that same growing medical corridor.
Residents near Athletic Avenue and Dunlop Lane will see the rezoning finalize only after the second council vote. Drivers on the State Route 12 Bypass and Glendale Drive corridor can expect a new traffic signal, dedicated turn lanes and updated signage once the TDOT project proceeds.
The takeaway
Two votes this week set the stage for a new rehabilitation hospital and safer State Route 12 traffic patterns, though the rezoning still needs final council approval.
What happens next
A second council vote is required before the Athletic Avenue rezoning can take effect.
Further reading
For more on local government votes and agendas, see City Hall coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClarksvilleNow.com - News, Weather & Events in Clarksville, TN.
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