Nashville council adopts Nations neighborhood rezoning and UDO after heated public debate

The Metropolitan Council voted to approve a zoning and urban-design package for the Nations neighborhood — ordinances BL2025-830 (rezoning), BL2025-831 (urban design overlay) and related technical companion BL2025-832 — after amendments and extensive public comment on Aug. 19, 2025. The rezoning ordinance passed on third reading 25–9–1; the urban-design overlay and its companion passed 27–6–2.

The package, sponsored by Councilmember Roland Horton, is a locally driven redevelopment plan the sponsor said reflects nearly two years of neighborhood meetings and changes made in response to resident feedback. “It's something we've been working on, collectively over the last almost 2 years now,” Horton told the council before the final vote.

Supporters said the plan balances more housing choices with neighborhood protections. “This plan better protects our trees, improves stormwater mitigation, and keeps building…