Board approves two-year extension for New Leaf School special exception amid neighbor noise concerns

The Metro Nashville Board of Zoning Appeals on a 4-2 vote granted New Leaf School a two-year extension of its special-exception use to continue operating a school and child-care program at a church property, subject to the conditions the school filed with the board.

Neighbors who live immediately adjacent to the property objected at the hearing, saying children’s vocalizations and outdoor activity echo through the hollow and that temporary or dilapidated fencing and unfinished construction make the play areas unsafe. The applicant said it has changed some materials and scheduling to reduce noise, has expanded alternative play areas in the on-site forest, and is pursuing a new permanent campus but has encountered soil and permitting delays.

The extension was requested after the board earlier postponed the matter to allow the applicant and neighborhood to discuss revised plans. At the hearing, the applicant described steps taken since the prior meeting: installing a more substantial wooden enclosure for the breezeway play area, replacing metal cooking and music implements with lower-noise silicone items, changing morning drop-off so children enter indoors, and creating new play zones deeper in wooded areas to spread children out. Director Alana Harvey, identified herself as the school director and told the board: "We want to have a copacetic existence with those around us while we find a new campus." She also said she has taken decibel readings that were “well below” the legal threshold for noise violations.

Opponents — several neighbors who said they live on Still Spring Hollow Drive — said changes do not address the core problem, which they described as continuous vocal noise amplified by the topography of the hollow. Retired teacher and neighbor Donnie Bridal said the school "intruded into our neighborhood" and presented a neighborhood letter signed by 24 households. Bridgette Rogers, introduced herself as a Vanderbilt engineering professor, said the proposed fabric affixed to chain-link fencing would not materially reduce sound: "I cannot see any way that having fabric around on chain link is gonna do anything for the sound." Neighbor Tanya Albright asked the board to require proof of financing and a realistic construction schedule for the school's planned new campus, noting the applicant's prior exception had expired and raising concern that the site work did not appear far enough along to finish within two years.

School representatives said they had encountered unanticipated soil/weight-bearing problems at the new campus site and had paused some construction while reworking designs. The applicant said grading permits and site plans are moving through review but a building permit has not been issued; she described alternatives under consideration including portable or modular structures to accelerate the move. Regarding children’s schedules, the applicant told the board students arrive at about 8 a.m., first go outside at about 9–9:30 for staggered periods (one group about one hour, another group about two hours spread across the forest), and the last child typically leaves at about 3 p.m.

Board members weighed the competing equities. Several members expressed sympathy for neighbors and acknowledged the unusual, nature-centered curriculum the school uses. One board member observed that the code allows day-care uses in residential districts but permits the board to impose conditions to protect neighboring properties. After discussion, the board approved the extension, with one member saying the school had submitted conditions that should be memorialized and another member voting against the extension specifically because they thought additional limits on outside activity or scheduling might still be needed.

The motion passed 4–2. The board’s approval was recorded “subject to the conditions stated in the school’s most recent letter to the board,” and the board noted its authority to enforce conditions and revoke approvals if evidence later shows the board relied on misleading testimony.

Board staff had earlier reminded the public that testimony not given under oath may nonetheless be used later in a show-cause proceeding if it materially affected the board’s decision.

The outcome means New Leaf School may continue operating at the church location under the approved special-exception extension and the conditions in the school’s submission; the school also remains responsible for securing applicable building permits and complying with permitting conditions as it proceeds toward a permanent campus.