Fairview zoning board denies conditional‑use permit for Green Springs "rural retreat"

The Fairview Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5–0 on Sept. 10 to deny a conditional‑use permit sought by Green Springs Prop LLC and project owner Walker Lund for a proposed private “rural retreat” at 5185 Old Harding Road.

The board adopted written findings concluding the applicant had not met the burden of proof, could not demonstrate compliance with applicable Fairview ordinances, and that the proposed uses did not align with the city’s 2040 long‑range plan. Board members also said the record lacked sufficient information to make a reasonable decision on traffic and parking impacts.

At the public hearing, neighbors, engineers and local advocates urged denial. Civil engineer Chris King told the board he calculated a large increase in runoff from paving: “By paving just the road, it's gonna produce an extra 1,100,000 gallons of water” that would flow onto downstream properties and into the South Harpeth River. Harpeth Conservancy founder Dori Bowles emphasized water‑quality and floodplain management concerns and urged the board to require robust stormwater and stream‑buffer conditions if the use were…