Commission approves partial rezoning on Bridal Church Pike after neighbors raise short‑term rental and construction impacts

The Metropolitan Planning Commission on March 20 approved a request to rezone roughly 3.93 acres of property along Bridal Church Pike from CLNS (commercial limited, no short‑term rentals) back to CL (commercial limited). The applicant said the rezoning corrects a previous down‑designation and enables residential construction to proceed under residential building code rather than more costly commercial/hotel code. Units along Dennis Drive were proposed to remain CLNS so they would not be eligible for short‑term rental permits.

Staff presented the site context: the parcels sit in a T4 Urban Community Center policy area, adjacent to mixed commercial and industrial uses, and within a conservation policy overlay. Planning staff recommended approval, noting the location near transit and sidewalks and that CL and CLNS share development standards; the primary difference is that CL would permit short‑term rental permits while CLNS prohibits them.

Developer Brent Smith told commissioners the change addresses increased costs the project owner faced after an earlier rezoning to CLNS required commercial/hotel code elements and associated systems (sprinklers, elevators) that added roughly $7 million in costs. He described a compromise in which townhomes on the buffer side of a TVA easement would be eligible for short‑term rental permits (if CL is approved) while the row facing Dennis Drive would remain CLNS.

Multiple Dennis Drive residents and property owners testified in opposition, citing heavy construction traffic blocking the narrow, roughly 22‑foot roadway, missed trash pickups, mud and debris in the street, a damaged driveway with unresolved repair discussions, concerns about emergency‑vehicle access for elderly neighbors, noise and perceived safety impacts, and general opposition to short‑term rentals in a long‑standing neighborhood. One resident said construction trucks blocked her driveway that morning and she called Metro Police.

Applicant representatives said the site work is under construction and that building permits were granted; they said the project entrance was positioned to minimize impacts and that many building permit reviews (water, fire, NDOT) had been completed. Applicant counsel noted the developer agreed to keep the Dennis‑facing units on CLNS so they would not be eligible for short‑term rental permits and said the team would continue outreach to neighbors.

Commissioners discussed the technical distinction between CL and CLNS and the fact that building permits had already been issued for 66 townhomes; several commissioners said the rezoning request fits existing commercial zoning history on the property and the T4 policy context. Commissioner Clifton and others urged the developer to work with neighbors on construction impacts. A motion to approve the staff recommendation passed. The record shows approval by voice vote; a roll‑call tally was not recorded in the transcript.