Board of Zoning Appeals - 2025-12-18
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved all cases on its December 18, 2025 agenda, including five consent agenda items and two contested variances. The most significant decision was approving a 9.3-foot front setback variance at 723 Myrtle Street to allow reconstruction of a fire-damaged residence on its existing foundation, despite neighborhood opposition. A second variance was granted at 4323 Nolensville Pike reducing the Providence Heights street setback from 15 feet to 5 feet for a new jewelry store, with site constraints including a stream buffer cited as hardship.
Key Decisions (3)
Consent Agenda - Five Cases Approved
Cases 2025-111 (322 Oriole Avenue), 2025-136 (1252 1st Avenue South fence variance), 2025-138 (1001 North 5th Street church addition special exception), 2025-141 (4676 Clarksville Pike new single family house setback variance), and 2025-142 (5140 Anchorage Drive front porch enclosure variance) were approved on consent agenda with no opposition present.
Setback Variance at 723 Myrtle Street
Hal Fisher of Fidelis Investment Group received approval for a variance reducing the front street setback from the required 34.8 feet to 25.5 feet (approximately 9.3 feet reduction) to rebuild a fire-damaged single family residence on the existing foundation in the RS-5 district. The original house was damaged by fire and demolished beyond 50% during renovation, triggering contextual setback requirements. Planning Commission had recommended approval.
Setback Variance at 4323 Nolensville Pike
Imad Aplessayad received approval for a variance reducing the Providence Heights street setback from 15 feet to 5 feet to construct a new jewelry store building. The property has constraints including a stream with 30-foot buffer on the southwest side limiting parking placement. The proposed building will actually be further from the road than the existing residence being demolished.
Development Activity (4)
Single Family Residence Reconstruction
Reconstruction of fire-damaged single family residence on existing foundation. Will be story and a half with 19-foot height to eve line, maximum 27 feet to peak allowed. Second story addition to previously single-story home.
Jewelry Store
New non-residential building for jewelry store use with parking lot in rear. 90-degree parking spaces with entrance off Providence Heights. Replaces existing single family residence.
Church Addition
Special exception for addition to existing church building.
New Single Family House
New single family house construction requiring street setback variance.
Market Signals (3)
Housing Demand
Multiple Tall and Skinny residential developments have been constructed on Providence Heights, indicating continued infill development pressure in established Nashville neighborhoods.
Sentiment
Neighborhood opposition to increased building heights and contextual overlay variances suggests tension between existing residents and new development patterns in established areas.
Infrastructure
Providence Heights, despite being only 18 feet wide (alley width), is classified as a public street, creating setback requirements that constrain development on adjacent parcels.