Metro Council begins debate on zoning reform proposals
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A new batch of bills aimed at increasing middle-class housing units in Nashville will be up for consideration by the Metro Council in the coming weeks.
Why it matters: Nashville is in the midst of a housing crisis, but the council has been divided on how ambitious it wants to be in addressing the problem.
The big picture: The four new bills follow the release of a critical housing and infrastructure study earlier this year.
- The most impactful proposal would create two new zoning districts, which allow multiple units, such as townhomes, to be built on a single residential lot.
- The legislation wouldn't impose the new zoning districts. Instead, a property owner in Nashville could request their property be rezoned under one of the new designations, opening up the possibility for more units. Council would need to sign off on those requests.
- The Planning Department published a chart showing the differences between current residential zoning and what would be allowed under the new proposal.
Zoom out: Another bill expands the right for homeowners to build detached dwelling units, such as an apartment over a garage, in Nashville's urban services district.
Flashback: Last year, a group of Metro Council members, led by Councilmember Quin Evans Segall, pitched an ambitious plan to address Nashville's middle-class housing problem.
- Evans Segall's proposal would have opened up many Nashville neighborhoods to more density, potentially replacing single-family lots with quadruplexes. Several neighborhoods angrily opposed the plan, which eventually stalled out in the council.
- In response, Metro Council commissioned a comprehensive study about Nashville's housing and infrastructure, focusing on what zoning policies the city could implement to address the issue.
- As part of that study, council asked the Planning Department to zero in on the issue of equity in housing.
Stunning stat: The study revealed that typical Black and Hispanic families can afford the median-valued home in less than 1% of Nashville neighborhoods.
What's next: The legislation creating the new zoning districts is up for a public hearing during Thursday's Metro Council meeting, but is likely to be deferred.
- The bills are expected to be considered next month.
- Learn more about the study, and the proposed legislation on the Metro Planning site.