[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6166119,"mediaKeyId","5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81","parentId",5416150,"title","Metro BZA defers New Leaf School daycare extension after neighbor noise complaints","audioSeconds",3581,"startMs",999000,"endMs",4580000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81&start=999&end=4580","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81/thumbnail_999000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166119/Tennessee/Metro-BZA-defers-New-Leaf-School-daycare-extension-after-neighbor-noise-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166119-c6019616a4ebe6c666b451d739be82ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770556450&Signature=dgWZrcqEsvmjv3SwNwnWENvjWUkIOj00ihwlgQEkPc6UP7OhKz8FbxlE0BptSha0eFAG6DGhvKQf~RhBBh~nRAwIlz9D98iZNOE65R-o6vz3fglSQz9Os0n5OLV5PqpJRIeRCGT~DCAgxLHQkKrnxym69v0iMnudojbkzBMckAlLZdpvjBcQbrIRDhpdU0xSFG4VmEtZbWCacEBfBxizD71Dp9NBwq6nP74760YkfZgUkbzdC0DryDgy~4nxMrjuu86U7Wu1ymYksmlqLlGkdut-UQ8cm7XYTJfWVAu51Va8m6pDLU4cVRQ2~nR8XgPJi3NXQhumemRonMfLbZQ2AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-07-18T04:15:04.913Z","article","The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals on July 17 deferred a request by New Leaf School and the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation for a two-year extension of a special-exception permit that allows daycare operations at 374 Hicks Road.

The board took the action after multiple nearby residents testified that the school’s outdoor program — which parents and school leaders say emphasizes year‑round outdoor learning — has produced sustained noise, including loud shouting, whistles and the use of drums and other instruments. The board set a new hearing on Sept. 18 and asked the school and neighbors to work together on a noise‑mitigation plan and fencing that meets Metro’s special‑exception requirements.

Why it matters: The New Leaf request could affect dozens of families who rely on the program for child care while also raising long‑term quality‑of‑life concerns for adjacent homeowners. The board’s decision balances the school’s licensing and community role with neighbors’ complaints about noise and the location of outdoor play areas.

What happened: New Leaf’s director, Elaine Harvey, told the board the congregation property hosts the school while the organization builds a permanent site at Charlotte Pike. Harvey and the congregation’s minister, the Rev. Denise Couch, said construction delays, soil remediation and licensing timelines have pushed the move‑out date beyond the previously approved period.

Opponents — several residents from Still Spring Hollow — told the board the school’s children and teachers frequently use a wooded garden area closer to the back of the property than the playground shown on the applicant’s plans. Residents said the change placed active outdoor groups roughly 135 feet from some homes and that noise is amplified in the neighborhood’s hollow topography.

Parents and a New Leaf parent‑speaker acknowledged the concerns and described steps the school has already taken or was prepared to take: stopping use of loud instruments in the garden, staggering outdoor group schedules, limiting the number of children outside at once and replacing temporary tarps with wooden outdoor furniture. School leaders said they had not received neighborhood complaints before the recent notice of this hearing.

Board response and next steps: BZA members noted the zoning standard that outdoor play areas “be attached to the main structure and fenced in a way that minimizes noise impacts on neighboring residences.” Members asked staff to confirm whether the school’s current outdoor area meets that requirement and urged the parties to produce a concrete mitigation plan before the Sept. 18 hearing. The zoning administrator confirmed the department would not take enforcement action that would immediately close the school during the deferral period.

Status: Deferred to Sept. 18, 2025. The BZA chair encouraged the applicant and neighbors to meet and produce a plan addressing fence type, placement and specific noise‑mitigation measures for the board’s review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07/17/25 Board of Zoning Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals on July 17 deferred a request by New Leaf School to extend a special‑exception permit at 374 Hicks Road after neighbors complained about sustained outdoor noise from the program.","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},6166109,"Board approves Lamar Outdoor variance for digital billboard after technology and visibility arguments",848,6776000,7624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81&start=6776&end=7624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81/thumbnail_6776000.jpg","/articles/6166109/Tennessee/Board-approves-Lamar-Outdoor-variance-for-digital-billboard-after-technology-and-visibility-arguments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166109-6532577ac2fc569b58cecd5240882dd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770556450&Signature=Ck5XVZnyH7spy0O4eZGs7CJS-NodN9RVf-j44URTlQNYycSLysM7eY0EeBbU9zXjzrcU-F3B~zgmTrpWJvF7AQzPiMUJs1hUG9T~JfDaeWkJZaAMXusXUHitVQeM2ftqWc8WNbmbZWfTcJmZ173whOYNxMLhFWGYdzfB4gLN9-IUWna048Ul16LuGfTOoocYZs~WVaY2jx63F5eKY8k2pU2Pt9tI2O82UGZSu8QVv~J6Fiy5EV5UXePcLmAyfJN5b7CNh5TuCJxXPjMX2vCwu8qpLvwhLr6yoDcpvrwbSIqWcxKLPX35uuaHHdquadFTBOXHnBd45-rAmY5HRn~2Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Zoning Appeals on July 17 granted a variance to Lamar Outdoor Advertising for a digital billboard in the Green Hills/Hillsborough corridor after the company demonstrated that modern light‑mitigation technology would limit visibility to residentially zoned properties.

Lamar’s counsel said the sign’s LED face would be fitted with directional shielding that narrows the billboard’s luminous arc and greatly reduces the likelihood of light entering private residences. Counsel presented aerial exhibits showing the billboard’s projection arc would point along Hillsborough Boulevard toward commercial zones, not directly into nearby residentially zoned parcels such as those near the YMCA and Hillsborough High School.

Board members discussed whether the code’s circle‑based distance rule remains appropriate in an era of targeted digital displays. Some members who voted in favor said the technology and surrounding tall buildings and commercial uses justify relief; one member opposed, citing nearby residential uses in mixed developments and concern about direct light exposure to future residents. The motion to grant the variance passed 4–1.

What the board considered: The applicant presented a technical memo, site maps and references to prior BZA cases granting similar relief on Jefferson Street, Massman Drive and Gallatin Pike. Counsel said the state law limits digital display change intervals (commonly 8 seconds) and cited the use of shielding technology as evidence that the public policy goal of keeping bright lights out of bedrooms would be met.

Outcome: Variance approved 4–1. The board’s order requires the applicant to implement the light‑mitigation measures shown in the submitted exhibits.","The BZA approved a variance to allow a Lamar Outdoor Advertising digital billboard despite a zoning rule requiring a 1,225‑foot setback from residentially zoned parcels; applicant argued light‑mitigation technology and existing built environment make the strict rule obsolete.",{"_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},6166116,"Neighbors oppose variance after Metro permits a 27‑foot garage; BZA denies variance request",2467,10229000,12696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81&start=10229&end=12696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416150-3774baf0ae612430c709b04144f6aa81/thumbnail_10229000.jpg","/articles/6166116/Tennessee/Neighbors-oppose-variance-after-Metro-permits-a-27foot-garage-BZA-denies-variance-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166116-2881200be1bc54c6c6f5e492032d41b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770556450&Signature=bVDlK4btZO5d5rHmZ7WSVyivPFcaVGZ2qtiECxWwMjWmQFaii3H2GzxK8~8opaPuH30RxLtz1PEw8V7rSuhP2YJxZdGv0hAClBeBg68vEZ8Srb7RmK6DShR4O6IBAhVfpo-3UEC-78TvtZrNm1LBplrp8pmIH4FDNpJZ8o2Ja6fqEAW5y-dK~shhqsWaTsBCv--~1~Sf1ehH6ZksxOkoXClxkDpV2FLvTKUj0JNM8JfrfdxvWiIp~iaRO8WgW0NIpxoFxJ5SSUTv7P5n3FH-OGmLhR6Hk36C7td7tgmo2smdBzZAlV91CwrWBQfBkbOL99HZ8~DKrxeg046bHUn5gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Neighbors and the property owner clashed July 17 after Metro issued a permit for a 27‑foot detached garage at 927 Kirkwood Boulevard that staff later determined exceeded the permitted 16‑foot height for accessory structures in RS‑7.5 zoning.

Zoning staff acknowledged a permitting error and posted a stop‑work order on the garage once the mistake was discovered. The property owner appealed the stop‑work order, saying the build was largely complete and that the lot’s depth and topography create practical constraints. Several immediate neighbors opposed the variance, said much of the work continued after they notified Metro, and argued the taller structure would intrude on backyard privacy.

The board’s action: After hearing argument from the owner’s counsel and neighbors, the BZA voted 3–1 to deny the variance request to allow the 27‑foot structure to remain as built. Board members split over whether staff’s error and the lot’s unusual depth provided exceptional circumstances that could justify relief.

Why it matters: The case underscores how permitting errors, construction timing and neighborhood privacy concerns intersect in redevelopment of long, deep lots in older residential neighborhoods. The denial means the owner may need to modify the structure to conform with the 16‑foot accessory‑structure limit or pursue additional administrative or legal remedies.

Key facts from the hearing: The owner’s attorney said the lot is about 260 feet deep and that the garage sits well behind the principal house and below it in elevation, making the structure less visually dominant from the street. Neighbors provided a timeline and photos asserting the majority of work on the garage occurred after Metro staff had been alerted and that several second‑floor windows overlook adjacent yards. Metro staff confirmed the permit was issued in error and said it would refund any appeal fees tied to that error.","The BZA heard an appeal after a detached garage at 927 Kirkwood Blvd. was permitted at 27 feet in error; neighbors said construction continued after the permit issue was raised and argued the height intrudes on back‑yard privacy. The board voted to deny the variance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metro BZA defers New Leaf School daycare extension after neighbor noise complaints

Board approves Lamar Outdoor variance for digital billboard after technology and visibility arguments

Neighbors oppose variance after Metro permits a 27‑foot garage; BZA denies variance request