In Narrow Vote, Fontanel Allowed To Expand In Whites Creek

A bill that allows the Fontanel inn and amphitheatre to add a 136-room hotel to the wooded site passed by the slimmest of margins in the Metro Council on Tuesday night. And the vote was seen as a test of whether city leaders will abide by newly adopted guidelines that call for preserving Davidson County’s most rural corners.What Is NashvilleNext? City’s 1,000-Page Plan For The Future Explained In 90 Seconds

“When you make this decision tonight, realize this goes well beyond one council person’s district,” said Councilman Colby Sledge, who opposed the Fontanel plan. ”If we’re working off of a road map that we’ve shot holes in, we’re going to lose our way.”

The Metro Planning Commission also discouraged the council from approving the request, saying it violates the community plan. That meant the request required a two-thirds majority vote from the council.

But Councilman Bob Mendes was among those who argued that allowing Fontanel’s owners to build a hotel would actually help keep the area from becoming more densely developed and promote historical tourism.

Others said Fontanel’s designs for a new hotel, pool, and banquet hall would blend in, like a farm, and preserve green space. That sentiment was echoed by Councilwoman Sheri Weiner, who sided with Fontanel.

“This change actually reduces any negative impact … to sensitive environmental features,” she said.

In the end, Fontanel’s expansion was approved in a 28-8 decision.