Zoning changes, rezones and variances are one of the ways that gentrification chips away at the fabric of our communities. A plot of land that once held a one-story building zoned for commercial use is rezoned to allow more diverse usage. That’s how the old In Shuttle building wound up being an AirBnB hotel, rather than a building that housed a medical practice.
Or a plot of land that once held a single-family home, is allowed a variance and two homes are built…which leads to double the people, double the trash, double the parking, and double the problems.
“They are pushing us out.”
“I’m starting to feel closed in.”
“The neighborhood is changing.”
These are the phrases I hear over and over again when I talk to my neighbors. As residents, we see the red and white signs go up. We received the notices. But sometimes, we just don’t understand the implications of what could happen.
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
We don’t understand that a zoning change could lead to a restaurant with a rooftop deck overlooking our backyard. We don’t understand that a variance could lead to four additional cars being parked on an already narrow street. Or that the design of a new building could threaten the future of a decades old family-run business.
Aside from the zoning process, residents have very little say in the future of North Nashville. But zoning language and the process is confusing and intimidating: MUL-A, CS, RS5, Consent Agenda etc. Add to that, the developers have a slew of professionals—architects, lawyers and engineers—being paid to help them navigate the process.
While residents, have almost no support. We use our “free time” of family dinners, lunch breaks and early mornings to research, write letters and fight for the future of our communities.
Zoning Request: 2100 Buchanan ( 2021SP-049-001)
This Thursday, another rezone request will be heard by the Planning Commission. While I believe the overall development could be good for the the community, I have concerns regarding:
- preserving residential zoning and privacy
- The future of Ed’s Fish and Pizza and their drive-thru
- And codifying commitments to Black-owned businesses
Three weeks ago, my husband and I sent a letter to the developer and architect regarding our concerns. We met last week and still none of the commitments made have been codified or reflected in the developer’s application with the Planning Commission.
Yet, the developer–Bonadies Urban Development–is moving forward with their plans.
The proposed development is 15 feet away from a private residence. In addition, the developer owns the land where the drive-thru for Ed’s Fish and Pizza currently sits and has made numerous commitments to prioritize Black-owned businesses.
But these commitments have not been codified. As residents, we need more time to understand:
- how the building will be used
- what protections will be made to protect residential privacy and zoning
- and we want the developer to codify commitments made to Black-owned businesses and to preserve the driveway to Ed’s Fish and Pizza.
I believe there are simple solutions to each of these concerns, and with more time for meaningful input from the community this proposed development could be a benefit to our community without threatening our way of life or the future of a historic family-run business.
Please Call and Write the Planning Commission
- Please email the Planning Commissioners [planning.commissioners@nashville.gov]
- carbon copy Councilmember Brandon Taylor [Brandon.Taylor@nashville.gov]
- and ask for a deferral
You can also call and leave a message for the Planning Department Executive Director, Lucy Kempf at 615.862.7167. An email to the Planning Commission can be one short paragraph. Here’s an example:
Dear Commissioners,
My name is [insert name] and I live at [insert address]. I am writing to ask that you defer a decision on 2021SP-049-001. As a neighborhood, we need more time to understand how the proposed development will impact residential privacy, public safety, building usage and the plan to protect the drive-thru for Ed’s Fish and Pizza.
From past experience, I know that getting a deferred decision can be difficult. But if we don’t try, we will be subject to the financial interests of the developer.