Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Nashville Board of Zoning Appeals denied two variance requests (115 Warren Drive garage height and 917 Woodmont Boulevard carport setback) for lack of hardship, while approving Woodmont Christian Church's special exception for an 18,900 sq ft Family Life Center at 3601 Hillsborough Pike with conditions including dark sky lighting compliance and crash gate requirements. A variance request at 725 Atkinson Lane for reduced street setbacks resulted in a tied 2-2 vote that will carry over to the February 5, 2026 meeting.
Key Decisions (5)
Consent Agenda - Multiple Properties
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).
Garage Height Variance at 115 Warren Drive
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.
Woodmont Christian Church Family Life Center Special Exception at 3601 Hillsborough Pike
Woodmont Christian Church received special exception approval for 18,900 sq ft Family Life Center addition including gymnasium, youth classrooms, and 67 new parking spaces on 9.7-acre campus. Building features 43-foot setback from adjacent Looney property (25 feet required), 78-foot parking setback from Hoods Hill Road. Project eliminates one curb cut on Hoods Hill and adds crash gates to prevent cut-through traffic.
Street Setback Variance at 725 Atkinson Lane - Tied Vote
Thompson Burton PLLC on behalf of Bernadette Klepke requested variance from contextual street setback requirements for detached duplex construction. Applicant sought 60-foot setback on Atkinson Lane and 50-foot on Templeton Drive versus required 125.33 feet and 91.48 feet respectively. Opposition included 17 of 21 surveyed neighbors and Council Member for District 23.
Carport Setback Variance at 917 Woodmont Boulevard
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.
Development Activity (2)
Woodmont Christian Church Family Life Center
18,900 sq ft addition including regulation high school gymnasium (7,500 sq ft), youth classrooms, fellowship space, connector building, and 67 new parking spaces with pervious pavers. Building height below existing sanctuary, 43-foot side setback, 78-foot parking setback from Hoods Hill. Campus total will be 121,000 sq ft on 9.7 acres (FAR 0.4 allows 169,000 sq ft).
Detached Duplex Development
Proposed detached duplex on R-40 zoned corner lot with 57-foot frontage (narrower than neighboring 75-foot lots). Seeking reduced street setbacks from contextual requirements of 125.33 feet (Atkinson) and 91.48 feet (Templeton) to platted setbacks of 60 feet and 50 feet respectively.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Woodmont Christian Church reports congregation growth requiring facility expansion, with over 500 registered children in programs and approximately 50 baptisms annually, indicating strong family demographic in Green Hills area.
Infrastructure
Hillwood/Westmead neighborhood residents expressed significant concerns about flooding and stormwater management, with multiple homes for sale due to flood insurance costs and repeated flooding events since major 2010 flood.
Sentiment
Strong neighborhood opposition to development changes in established areas, with 17 of 21 surveyed neighbors opposing Atkinson Lane variance and organized opposition to Woodmont Church expansion citing historic Olmstead-designed neighborhood character.
Commercial Demand
Religious institutions continue expanding in Nashville's residential zones, with Woodmont Christian Church citing parking shortages on Sunday mornings and members leaving due to inability to find parking spaces.