Planning Commission approves OR-20 rezoning at River Drive corner, asks staff to review neighborhood policy

The Metro Nashville Planning Commission voted to approve a rezoning at the southern corner of River Drive and South Hamilton Road that changes the property from RM-15 A&S (multifamily) to OR-20 (office/residential), and asked planning staff to study whether the governing T3 Suburban Neighborhood Evolving policy should be amended.

Staff had recommended disapproval, saying the roughly 0.3-acre site is in a T3 NE policy area meant to preserve primarily residential uses and that OR-20 would permit nonresidential uses and non‑owner‑occupied short‑term rentals that are inconsistent with that policy.

Jamara, a planning staff member who presented the item, told the commission the property contains a three‑story multifamily building and that the T3 NE policy “is intended to create and enhance suburban residential neighborhoods with more housing choices” and does not support the commercial and short‑term rental uses OR‑20 would allow.

Kenneth McFadden, the property owner and applicant, told commissioners he views the corner lot as “everything just screams commercial,” cited nearby short‑term rental activity and a halfway house, and said the site’s 12‑space parking lot and existing buildings make commercial/short‑term uses reasonable for his situation.

Commissioners debated whether to follow staff’s analysis or to use the rezoning review to direct a policy amendment. Commissioner Campbell noted the commission may recommend an amendment to the general plan if it believes the zoning request warrants that change; other commissioners said the property functions as a transition between higher‑ and lower‑intensity areas and expressed concern about approving OR‑20 without broader community input.

With that context, the commission approved the OR‑20 rezoning and added a motion directing planning staff to review whether a T3 policy amendment—or another policy action—is warranted for the site. The motion passed; the transcript records “Motion carries,” but individual vote tallies were not specified.

Discussion points: commissioners and staff distinguished discussion (policy consistency and neighborhood character) from the formal action (approval with staff direction). The applicant reserved two minutes for rebuttal and reiterated commercial context and foot traffic around the site.

The commission’s action does not itself amend the general plan; it directs staff to evaluate the policy question and, if needed, prepare materials for any plan amendment process. Appeals of planning commission decisions remain subject to the jurisdictional procedures referenced by staff (filing an appeal in Davidson County chancery or circuit court within 60 days).