Board of Zoning Appeals Case About Proposed Fence at Caldwell and 12 South

[carey...@comcast.net]

Friends,

 

Ms. Snodgrass came to the last Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission meeting to raise her concerns about this fence at the intersection of Caldwell and 12 South. I apologize for not responding sooner and I  have not inspected the location although I intend to do so today.  If you are familiar with this area and share her concerns, please contact the Board of Zoning Appeals at b...@nashville.gov .  It is on their agenda for tomorrow’s meeting at Sonny West at 1 pm.

 

At the very least it sounds like this request should be deferred for input about the impact on road safety. I notice  the applicant is Belmont University, and I assume they have some influence in Nashville although they do not have a registered lobbyist. The council district is CD18 represented by Thoma...@Nashville.gov

 

As you know this section of 12 South is one of the very few decent bike lanes in Nashville.

 

Carey Rogers

BPAC Member

 

 

BZA Agenda    BZA CASE 2025-123

 

www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/Zoning-Appeals-Agenda-2025-11-06u.pdf?ct=1762353409

 

 

Location

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fsqaGGSUVbPGdLE59

 

 

 

From: Marybeth Snodgrass <msnodg...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 4:14 PM
To: kemcd...@gmail.com; k...@nashvillebikefun.org; mmmst...@comcast.net; matthew...@gmail.com; carey...@comcast.net; an...@nashvillehiddengems.com; cpr...@amazon.com; jnor...@gmail.com
Subject: Make your voice be heard on BZA CASE 2025-123

 

Board members of BPAC,

 

I spoke at the 10/20 BPAC meeting regarding a recently built fence along 12th Ave south built 6’ closer to the road than allowed (and thus poses a significant sightline obstruction) that requested approval for a variance. The BZA meeting was moved up from 11/20 to 11/6 for the fence built against codes that is a visual obstruction for the southbound 12th South Ave curbed bike lane and street at the Caldwell Ave intersection. The fence is built 6’ further towards the road than allowed by right. If you as a multi-modal transportation advocate are concerned about the ramifications of potentially forever codifying this fence as a right of this deeded property, please make sure your voice is heard by emailing your oppositions and/or concerns by today to be entered into the record. Apologies for the short-notice, but I just noticed that the 11/6 BZA meeting that was showing as cancelled as of 10/20 now has an agenda. Alternatively, you can show up at the meeting in opposition (1pm this Thursday). I’ve included a photo below as a reminder of the issue (fence was cited for a code violation mid-September as it was being constructed. Belmont filed an appeal a week later). 

 

Address your comments and/or concerns for the record to: b...@nashville.gov, subject: CASE 2025-123 (1909 12TH AVE S).

 

BZA is allowed to consult NDOT, but they are not required. I am hoping public awareness will make a difference and force the BZA’s hand to actually consult NDOT before voting on something that will have major safety implications that cannot be undone. I think there could be a compromise of how far north on the fence line needs to be adjusted for adequate sightline, but such measurements should be based on an actual evaluation of the intersection by NDOT. Included also below are two fences that, to my eye, pose significant sightline obstructions and therefore should not have had variances granted based on state law that a zoning variance may only be granted in the case that there is  "no harm to public welfare”. Both photos are taken from the driver’s window while stopped at the stop sign. These were both granted in the past six months, and are why I do not trust the BZA to accurately judge the “harm to public welfare” on their own merit without public input. 

 

-Marybeth Snodgrass