Board approves Ovation rezoning, development plan with conditions after debate over parking structure

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve rezoning and a revised development plan for the Ovation planned unit development at the southeast corner of East McEwen Drive and Carothers Parkway, and approved related impact‑fee and parkland agreements. The board approved the rezoning ordinance and the development resolution with modifications; the final comprehensive motion carrying the plan passed 6‑1. The board also approved a road impact fee offset agreement with Highwoods Properties not to exceed $8,550,000 and a parkland impact and construction agreement for Ovation unanimously.

Why it matters: Ovation is a large regional commerce project that the city and state have planned for years. Approval clears the way for phased construction of housing, office, retail and hotel space that city staff and applicants say will trigger major off‑site road improvements and generate long‑term tax revenue for Franklin and Williamson County.

Staff planner Chelsea summarized the proposal as a 103.93‑acre development proposing 1,525 multifamily dwelling units, 69 townhouses, 1,655,000 square feet of nonresidential space and 350 hotel rooms. Chelsea said the project includes a shared‑parking plan that reduces enclosed parking inside the Ovation loop by 2,339 spaces and that staff reviewed the traffic studies and the proposed off‑site improvements and agreed with the…