Council approves change to zoning text-amendment process; applicants to appear before council first

The Town of Nashville council on Sept. 2 approved an amendment to Section 18-245 of the zoning ordinance to adjust the process for text-amendment applications.

Under the approved change, a resident or property owner seeking a text amendment will initially appear before town council instead of starting at the town hall office and paying the $200 application fee. If council directs staff to pursue the change, the $200 fee will be waived because designated staff will take responsibility for drafting and processing the amendment. Staff will then route the draft through the Technical Review Committee (TRC) and planning board for recommendations before returning to council for a public hearing and final action.

Town staff said the change adds an initial council referral step rather than altering the sequence of technical review and public hearings; the amendment formalizes that council may assign staff to draft the proposed text change and that council retains the authority to deny requests. During the public hearing one business owner, Chris Sandy, urged caution and said the change could "open the door to a lot of 12 meetings" by increasing the number of items the planning body must review.

Council voted in favor of the ordinance amendment by voice vote; the mayor declared the motion approved.