Nashville-Davidson County Zoning Decisions: January 2026

In January 2026, Nashville-Davidson County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 15 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 8 approved (80% approval rate), 2 denied, 5 deferred. Activity was down 23% compared to December (832 activity items across 7 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Garage Height Variance at 115 Warren Drive

Denied.

Manuel Martinez requested variance for detached garage constructed at 21 feet height, exceeding the 16-foot permitted height by 5 feet. The garage was built for storage purposes with a balcony/carport feature. Opposition from neighbor Turner Cripps at 605 Keaton cited privacy concerns about windows overlooking children's bedrooms.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Carport Setback Variance at 917 Woodmont Boulevard

Denied.

Baxter Lee requested variance for carport constructed approximately 5 feet from property line on General Bate Street, requiring 20-foot setback. Carport was self-constructed for $2,000 to address parking on blind corner. Opposition raised concerns about impervious surface and flooding impacts in flood-prone neighborhood.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Buchanan Street Commercial Compatibility Overlay (Item 17)

Deferred.

Request to apply commercial compatibility overlay to approximately 15.58 acres along Buchanan Street, establishing operational standards for bars/nightclubs, prohibiting alternative financial services and beer/cigarette markets. First application of newly created CCO overlay.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Buchanan Street Commercial Compatibility Overlay (Item 18)

Deferred.

Second portion of Buchanan Street CCO application covering approximately 4.17 acres along Buchanan Street, 22nd Avenue North, and 23rd Avenue North.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Straightway Avenue SP Rezoning

Approved.

Request to rezone from R6 to SP at 2003 Straightway Avenue to permit 36 multifamily residential units (16 new units added to existing 20 units) on 1.83 acres at approximately 19.8 units per acre.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Buchanan Street Commercial Compatibility Overlay

Deferred.

Ordinances BL2025-1168 and BL2025-1169 applying commercial compatibility overlay district to properties on Buchanan Street between 21st Avenue North and Interstate 65 (15.78 acres) and between 24th Avenue North and 21st Avenue North (5.61 acres).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Consent Agenda - Multiple Properties

Approved.

Board approved consent agenda including: Case 2025-123 at 1909 12th Avenue South (Belmont University fence variance with MDOT conditions), Case 2026-002 at 3268 Freeman Hollow Road (carport setback variance), Case 2026-004 at 1008 Clay Street (residence setback variance), and Case 2026-005 at 1803 Cowell Avenue (garage conversion setback variance).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

East Bend Subdistrict Downtown Code Amendment

Deferred.

Text amendment to establish East Bend Subdistrict in downtown code for approximately 15.58 acres south of Korean Veterans Boulevard, formerly a metal recycling facility. Includes development standards permitting mixed-use urban neighborhood with heights up to 40 stories in certain areas.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 15 recorded zoning decisions. See all Nashville-Davidson County meetings →

Zoning Changes

• RS5 → R6A, 0.18 acres at 1435 Meridian Street at corner of Meridian Street and Gatewood Avenue (Not specified)
• RS5 → SP, 0.5 acres at 4040-4048 Maple Street at Southeast Corner of Maple Street and 4th Avenue (Not specified)
• RS7.5 → SP, 6.88 acres at 3208, 3210, 3212, 3218 Glencliff Road (Not specified)
• R8 → SP, 5.29 acres at 2130-2142 Buena Vista Pike and 3005-3009 Cliff Drive (Not specified)
• RS5 → R6A, 0.18 acres at 708 26th Avenue North, approximately 205 feet north of Clifton Avenue (Not specified)
• CS → R6A, 0.2 acres at 322 Luedie Street, approximately 235 feet east of Nolensville Pike (Not specified)
• RS10 → R10, 0.26 acres at 3417 Springbrook Drive, approximately 392 feet north of Woodmont Boulevard (Not specified)
• RS5 → R6A, 0.26 acres at 308 Peachtree Street, approximately 212 feet west of Burbank Avenue (Not specified)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 137 instances
• setback: 59 instances
• residential: 50 instances
• commercial: 42 instances
• variance: 32 instances

What to Watch

• Setback mentions were up 111% from December.
• Commercial came up 110% more often than December.

Stay on Top of Nashville-Davidson County Meetings

This roundup covers the highlights. ZoneWire can email you the moment a new Nashville-Davidson County meeting is posted, with the agenda, so you never have to check the calendar yourself.

Get free New Meeting Alerts for Nashville-Davidson County. No card required.