[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6190709,"mediaKeyId","5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91","parentId",5043152,"title","Zoning board approves variance for two-story detached garage at Colorado Avenue home, 4–1","audioSeconds",1276,"startMs",7092000,"endMs",8368000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91&start=7092&end=8368","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91/thumbnail_7092000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190709/Tennessee/Zoning-board-approves-variance-for-two-story-detached-garage-at-Colorado-Avenue-home-41","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190709-1ecdcfd41a67430ec9b3db7ee92e292a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626477&Signature=LVeYh7Q7UkK04h2VeBYvN40ZddALFuMSA7yExoI2Gcj66dPY~nojZhTqmuATx~GMLELJA3USP8rWVeBUbfXW~z1S8t7G~FnS4HySwpS9X2InIaIAujHs0AtBLrwuDfCXS9rP0LnG9gBNSiRmUGT6Nijwa1d1625nyoDad0tnBYGGsoeARQgxTm1zDGj80U8Xo84pM3M~zzUXzWVxw0cgje8Lw46yr926q6LVkTDxm5un4zJDxsYPNOLT4XqlIm6GHqkk6C0XYdkSGwr~E9HjnmwxiN~RSFI6D1BkD2hSvuk-B2TXUGzgo2jSxGk5fJVMU86mtTfb0d5StSaHk-glcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-06-21T09:01:30Z","article","The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4–1 to grant a variance that will allow a two-story detached garage to be rebuilt closer to the rear property line at 4021 Colorado Avenue.

Homeowner Mark Sittig said the existing garage is about 22 by 22 feet (roughly 484 square feet) and that the proposed building would replace it with a larger two-story structure — the submitted plans listed the new building at roughly 1,050 square feet — which triggers the 20-foot rear setback requirement because the footprint exceeds 700 square feet. Sittig described the hardship as a desire to retain backyard green space for his young children and to avoid adding additional impervious driveway area that would result from moving the new garage 10 feet farther toward the house; he also said he sought interior, conditioned workspace above the garage for telehealth work and a small home gym.

The zoning administrator explained that by code a structure under 700 square feet can sit 10 feet from an alley-facing garage door, but larger footprints must meet a 20-foot rear setback. Several neighbors said they had been notified and did not object. During deliberations one member said the variance would reduce the creation of additional impervious surface and the construction of a new, insulated structure could reduce other neighborhood impacts compared with alternative solutions.

After discussion the board approved the variance 4–1. The chair announced the motion passed and instructed the owner to work with the codes office on permitting. No specific permit conditions beyond standard code compliance were announced at the hearing.

The board’s approval means the owner may demolish the existing garage and construct the new two-story building in the proposed footprint; because demolition removes the prior nonconforming structure, the project required a variance rather than administrative approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/20/25 Board of Zoning Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance to allow a new detached two-story garage larger than 700 square feet to be built closer to the rear property line than the 20-foot setback required by code, citing reduced impervious surface and neighborhood context.","taxTitle","Board of Zoning Appeals Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",73016,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190714,"Board grants variance for opaque fence along Nevada Avenue; applicant told to follow up with codes",87,2888000,2975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91&start=2888&end=2975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","/articles/6190714/Tennessee/Board-grants-variance-for-opaque-fence-along-Nevada-Avenue-applicant-told-to-follow-up-with-codes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190714-69b9de92f08d0b27ba4f8e2eaf98478b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626477&Signature=kjjjgpB1GfRIi9MZYnkamnH0a7tDKSHQBFoIC-rPprczeMC23434uY8KJbTaXVGMtxsjJEyeh1KHgZTi9Tvl7RjpazHwhDnxlJXkbHfMFjjnw2WeoAb4H9jhbwnwkFymJkEr1-makhpJRBgbyX56jbv5UCnTo5T4KSTzxvLxK~vYwpBvUDPOayEyKg7b8ADcGMECGPi6PLa2URmIyAmSfTh-is8cdRYNGmPsnv441uMyiQOP7Wlwo-cvICnV-AaN5jrlCaa0nKNIYqXOlauBRQJxVWDudeMhm9Dj24fgot-5n30X4-Z9Pwy4ZS2a7PSifPJ-j-60n75NV1DUzji3UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance to allow an opaque (closed) fence within the street setback for property at 4600 Nevada Avenue.

The motion to grant the variance was tied on an earlier roll call. Board member Ransom and others confirmed they had reviewed the record; Miss Johnson said she had watched and chose to participate. Johnson’s affirmative vote produced four concurring votes in favor of granting the variance, and the chair announced the variance was granted.

The board directed the applicant to follow up with the codes department about any outstanding permit issues. The action resolved a previously tied matter that had been carried over from an earlier hearing.

The request was framed as a variance from the height requirements for an opaque fence in the street setback in an R7.5 zoning district; the permit decision now stands as granted per the board vote.","The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance to allow an opaque fence in the street setback at 4600 Nevada Avenue after a tied motion shifted when a member chose to participate and vote yes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190719,"Neighbors, developer clash over which side is 'front' at Harding Place corner; zoning appeal continued",3566,3018000,6584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91&start=3018&end=6584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91/thumbnail_3018000.jpg","/articles/6190719/Tennessee/Neighbors-developer-clash-over-which-side-is-front-at-Harding-Place-corner-zoning-appeal-continued","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190719-84a34138991a88d2bbb85a11891f71ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626477&Signature=JsNF8n2NK0msObJ9G~XGMsAbzviVZ3vPA1nc5sQBGcrQ1kW7CXrT1u3CUlf2liVLtPFHpKdDyEcKYsuRtXfDyGxOE~aMZSZ3RjGMDSMu~TYl1X0ZnV-95y~~eUsDwQHPs6yR-IBrIbkal4AI2BeUHJjkRO8YQDB~-uJIHABeIWnZ5HO~UMK4ejFG8lSo7rYjdm1aT3ORVD3XhSrxy~oEadv1HYZkSltLqZIM1x0EuHkTQv05RsAwmTBE1gt8qsdFLAHGnlNSIEXGsMoMzjLA3R0JVOnSmhUmnYBn7gh4RXADufjJnlny5qGQi~flaFHuvJhoCfhffuPtdHlGm4UgUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neighbors and the developer squared off at a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing over whether the front facade of a proposed house on the corner of Harding Place and General Lowry Drive is correctly identified in the building permit — a technical determination that affects which contextual setback the project must meet.

Appellant Frank Hodges, who lives at 4605 General Lowry Drive, told the board the permit was issued in error because Metro code for corner lots requires the front facade to be oriented to the shorter lot line and the submitted drawings show the primary elevation facing General Lowry rather than Harding. Hodges told the board he and nearby neighbors object because the proposed siting would put the primary entrance and “front” closer to General Lowry than other houses on the block, altering the block face. He asked the board to revoke the permit.

Zoning administrator Joey Hargis (on the record as the zoning administrator) defended his decision, saying the project’s revised elevations included architectural elements that met the code’s definition of a front facade; he highlighted that his December review had rejected the earlier drawings and that subsequent changes led him to approve the later submission. Builder counsel Emily Lam, of Winstead, argued the submitted elevation meets each element of the zoning code’s front-facade definition and urged the board to uphold the administrator’s permit.

Board members debated several legal and practical points: whether the code’s definition of “front facade” should be read by its listed architectural elements or by common usage (for example, whether a foyer and a formal entry determine the front); whether design choices could be used to shift a structure’s regulatory setbacks; and whether resolving ambiguity should favor the property owner’s use of the land. Several members said the question is fundamentally factual and depends on the submitted drawings and how the board interprets the code’s language.

Member Johnson recused from the case; with the remaining members split, a motion was made that the zoning administrator erred in issuing the permit. The motion did not produce a definitive four-vote outcome; the board concluded the case would remain on the docket and be reheard on July 17 so the full panel can review the record and the YouTube video and participate. The board’s clerk said the record will remain closed and that members who did not hear today’s testimony may vote at the rehearing after reviewing the record.

The dispute centers on Metro Code section 17.12.030(c)(6) (corner-lot front-facade orientation) and related definitions in the zoning code that describe a front facade as the vertical face with a primary entrance and architectural components such as columns, windows and porches.

Board members urged clarity in future code language, and several said the case exposed a broader tension between design flexibility and consistent application of setback rules on corner lots. The board did not revoke the permit at the hearing; instead it scheduled the continued appeal so absent members may participate and a final vote can be taken.","Neighbors appealed a zoning administrator’s permit decision that treated the developer’s proposed elevation as the front facade; the Board of Zoning Appeals heard rival legal and design arguments and left the appeal on the docket for rehearing on July 17.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190724,"Zoning board splits on Sunnymeade setback; rehearing scheduled after tie on reduced variance",2623,231000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91&start=231&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5043152-c67f06f49504f68061113e4c5f6a0f91/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6190724/Tennessee/Zoning-board-splits-on-Sunnymeade-setback-rehearing-scheduled-after-tie-on-reduced-variance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190724-b76ab3c09b094152836ba313858a4446/orig.mp4?Expires=1775626477&Signature=JzqoPRUqw-mRSJSrC62A1OQGemLuoopFNeDA62EWw1H5JUfRilgTr3cPORN8OzosA2pl5HebHdlKfCjZ5faHx-ttpyDFhmrFB40fSXvoCYFnrC1-GYCMEuQmoh9aFmp5YfNoACUvpgvvh~Jw~v04cYKDUMaHKvYbA1DiOXGt5ml~yYeHqbc~qVmXP29fIbHrTmMtgyjol54JglMez1kfv5U4sE8CnqoRbwIXnjGpF4CzYQ9rOpiWU8lLotiUMINui6TkVqCg~Hi3sOFQCm8y8mNkgX1NgazlJcj4XW8cHJn7FPe66M~X0imysBmnniwARslEyQMvlxYUsX1LY4~SOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday failed to secure the four votes required to grant a reduced street-setback variance for a house proposed at 1295 Sunnymeade Drive, and the board left the item on its docket for rehearing on July 17.

The appeal concerns a requested variance from the contextual street-setback standard in an RS 7.5 district. The zoning administrator’s materials show a contextual average setback of about 33 feet; the applicant sought a 21-foot setback, a 12-foot reduction from the contextual average. Applicant representative Brandon Scott said the house must move forward to get the dwelling off a creek that runs through the lot and to meet flood-elevation requirements: “The goal, again, for is to get us off the creek. That’s the main reason,” Scott told the board.

Board members expressed split views on whether the applicant’s hardship was narrowly tailored and on the visual and height impacts of pulling the house forward. Board member Ransom said after reviewing the record he was not yet comfortable voting: “Based on the information the applicant gave, wasn't enough for me to determine...how much it would injure the associated neighbor,” and indicated an abstention until more information was available. Other members said the lot’s floodplain encumbrance created a legitimate hardship but that the requested 12-foot variance might be larger than necessary.

The board voted to reopen the public hearing to take live testimony after several members said they needed answers before casting a final vote; the hearing was reopened and the applicant and an opponent, Katie Williams of 1252 Sunnymeade Drive, presented. Williams said the proposed siting would “tower over” her property because the lot slopes and the new house would sit higher than neighboring homes.

After deliberations, a motion was made to grant a reduced 6-foot variance (rather than the requested 12-foot variance). The motion was seconded but received only three affirmative votes from members present, short of the four votes required to approve a variance under the board’s rules. Because two members were not present to vote on the new motion, the board kept the case on the agenda for July 17 so those members can review the record and participate.

No final permit change was recorded at the meeting; the board’s announcement said proceedings on the matter will continue at the July 17 meeting at the Metropolitan School Board on Bransford Avenue, where the full panel may vote after reviewing the YouTube video and record of today’s hearing.

If the board later finds the requested reduction is not justified, the applicant may revise plans, seek a different variance, or pursue a rehearing per the board’s procedures.

The record shows the dispute centered on balancing an applicant-stated floodplain hardship against neighborhood context concerns about height and block-face setbacks.","The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals did not reach the four-vote threshold to grant a reduced street-setback variance for a Sunnymeade Drive lot, and the board scheduled a rehearing for July 17 so absent members can review the record.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Zoning board approves variance for two-story detached garage at Colorado Avenue home, 4–1

Board grants variance for opaque fence along Nevada Avenue; applicant told to follow up with codes

Neighbors, developer clash over which side is 'front' at Harding Place corner; zoning appeal continued

Zoning board splits on Sunnymeade setback; rehearing scheduled after tie on reduced variance