Residents of rural Whites Creek tussled Monday night over the future of home construction in their scenic area of northern Davidson County. New rules about subdivisions, part of a massive plan known as NashvilleNext, could soon be adopted by the Metro Planning Commission.
In time-limited, two-minute bursts, dozens commented on whether to allow subdivision-style housing developments, and even duplexes. Those who didn’t want density, like Wilma Buchanan, told the planning commission about farms, large lots, and a way of life that hasn’t changed in decades.
She said she thought that message was clear in community meetings, but worried that planners were headed in a different direction.
“We lived up to our bargain. Please live up to yours,” Buchanan said. “Let Nashville be what it’s supposed to be in the Whites Creek area: a rural, historical community.”
Ken Jakes, a rural Joelton native and at-large Metro Council candidate, said
the NashvilleNext plan should preserve some rural areas.
“I’m thinking: What makes Nashville unique? And what makes us unique is that there’s a place for everybody,” Jakes said. “We want development, we want nice homes, and we want nice things too. But we’re not willing to sacrifice our way of life for what the high density brings in and changes our lifestyle.”
Several area landowners pushed back.
They said that a move to suddenly limit housing density where zoning has allowed it would thwart development plans just as they can become reality. John Floyd, who has 135 acres, said a sudden change could also scare people away from investing in land.
“There’s no way in this world I would have ever purchased this property if I’d ever thought that at some point it would be down-zoned, or basically zoned to where it’s worthless,” Floyd said.
“One lot per five acres basically makes this worthless property.”
The arguments played out during a long-awaited public hearing on NashvilleNext, the set of
new planning policies to shape Nashville for the next 25 years. More than 60 people spoke, with about 150 in attendance.
Speaking broadly about the plan before public comments, Metro Councilman Peter Westerholm called it
“very thorough” and “ambitious.”
The Planning Commission could vote to adopt the plan at a meeting on Monday, b
ut they were also asked by several people to delay taking action.
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