Housing and Instructure Bills Update

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Jennifer Gamble regarding Ordinance Nos BL2025-1005, BL2025-1006, and BL2025-1007.

From CM Gamble:

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, BL2025- 1005, 1006, and 1007, are scheduled for public hearing at tonight’s meeting. This legislation represents the second of four phases of recommendations expected from the Housing and Infrastructure study requested by Metro Council.

For months now, the Planning Department and many council members have held public meetings to educate the community about the proposed legislation and listen to residents’ concerns. Tonight, is an important opportunity for us to gather additional critical feedback from residents that will help inform updates needed to the proposed bills.

Therefore, I intend to hold public hearings for BL2025- 1005 and 1007. Furthermore, I intend to move approval of both ordinances on second reading with a deferral of third reading to the December 4 meeting. Note, that I will move for approval of the Substitute Ordinance for BL2025-1007 which incorporates changes based on community feedback already received including prohibiting owner-occupied Short Term Rental Property (STRP) within a new DADU in RS single family zoning.

In addition, I will request that Chair Horton add the bills and proposed amendments to the November 17 Planning & Zoning Committee agenda for discussion purposes only. There are already several good amendments proposed for the legislation, and I look forward to discussing them and other proposed amendments in committee. Advancing these proposals tonight does not signify final adoption - it simply moves the bills forward, granting the Planning and Zoning Committee the authority to update them with any necessary changes that come from further community feedback.

In addition, I intend to defer the public hearing for BL2025-1006, to the December 4th meeting to allow time for the Council to receive the Planning Commission recommendation. The PC deferred this proposed bill at its last meeting for further review.

I believe these bills are a good first step toward addressing the housing crisis in Nashville through a data driven approach which establishes building standards for a diversity of housing types for residents at different stages of life and income levels. I look forward to continuing discussions with the community about the proposed legislation as they move through the Council evaluation process.