Fw: [SPNA] Midtown Rezoning Returns Without Design Guidelines

[goodmanwg]

See below,

 

wendell goodman

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Jason Holleman <ja...@jasonholleman.com>
To: Jason Holleman <ja...@jasonholleman.com>
Cc: "Allen, Burkley (Council Member)" <Burkle...@nashville.gov>
Sent: Wed, January 23, 2013 9:27:12 PM
Subject: [SPNA] Midtown Rezoning Returns Without Design Guidelines

All,
 
As many of your are aware, the Metro Council reached a compromise 4 months ago on the proposed Midtown rezoning (BL2012-195), 

which maintained existing density/height limitations, but acknowledged that greater density could be appropriate in the future, IF such additional
rights were granted in conjunction with the adoption of guidelines to address quality design, pedestrian amenities and historic preservation.  
The Council ordinance that was adopted directed the Planning Department to further engage the community and initiate a process to address the concerns
initially raised about the proposed Midtown rezoning before the end of 2013.   

Specifically, the compromise Council legislation stated the following:
 
"Be it further enacted that the Metropolitan Planning Department staff shall prepare Urban Design Overlay Zoning Districts (UDOs) to achieve the
goals of the Midtown Community Plan Update and other public policy goals. Such UDOs shall provide additional development incentives in exchange for a
higher level of building and site design in regard to the provision of additional pedestrian amenities, context sensitive considerations, the
provision for work force housing and historic preservation, and other community goals or by the purchase of transfer development rights. The
Metropolitan Planning Department staff shall further submit proposed legislation to the Metropolitan Council to provide for the transfer of
development rights from historic properties deemed appropriate by the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission. The Planning Department staff
shall prepare such UDO and transfer of development rights legislation, and plans for incentivizing the construction of work force housing to the
Metropolitan Council not later than December 3, 2013."

Unfortunately, Metro Planning staff and Councilmember Langster, contrary to the compromise unanimously approved by the Metro Council in BL2012-195, are bringing 163 of the previously proposed 455 acres of property contained in the Midtown rezoning proposal back to the Metro Planning Commission TOMORROW without any of the design guidelines or other stipulations that were agreed-upon last September.
 
If you are concerned about this area being upzoned without inclusion of design guidelines or protection of historic properties, I would encourage
you to attend the meeting tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at the Sonny West Conference Center (old Howard School Building on 2nd Avenue) and voice your concerns.

You may also e-mail Metro Planning Commissioners at:  planning.co...@nashville.gov

 
If you have further questions about this upzoning or would like to discuss it in greater detail, you may call me at 579-8929.

Thank you,

Jason Holleman
Metro Council, District 24
4210 Park Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615-269-6365 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            615-269-6365      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.jasonholleman.com

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