Councilmember Benedict seeks removal of supplemental policy 05T4NC01 in Riverside Village

Councilmember Emily Benedict and Metro Planning Department staff on Thursday reviewed a request to cancel supplemental policy 05T4NC01—known locally as the Riverside Village South supplemental policy—from the East Nashville Community Plan.

Akriti Pokrille, a planning department staffer, told attendees the amendment would “cancel the existing supplemental policy area from East Nashville Community Plan” while retaining the underlying urban neighborhood center base policy (T4NC). She stressed that “the zoning remains as it is” and that removing the supplemental policy would not itself rezone any parcels.

The supplemental policy, adopted in the mid‑2000s, added site‑specific provisions intended to buffer adjacent residential areas from higher‑intensity uses along McGavock Pike. Staff listed past requirements that include prohibiting restaurants, bars and nightclubs on the southern parcels, requiring landscape buffering, improvements to Oakhurst Drive and Alley 1125 for rear access, and pedestrian and bicycle connections to Maxi Drive and Brown Street.

Planning staff and Councilmember Benedict said the five parcels in the study area (two on the west side of Riverside Drive and three on the east) are all owned by the same owner, who has expressed interest in pursuing rezoning for the two west parcels that are currently RS10. Brett Withers of the planning team clarified that a rezoning would be required before nonresidential uses could be introduced on those parcels and that mixed‑use zoning in the area allows multifamily housing at a neighborhood scale but “not high‑rise” development.

Donald Anthony, a planning department staff member, summarized the legal distinction: “The land use policy allows a mixture of housing. The zoning allows some mix of housing, and it could be like another rezone for a multifamily.” He and Anita McCraig emphasized that policy guidance and zoning entitlements are separate—removing the supplemental policy changes guidance, not the current zoning on the ground.

Residents raised concerns about pace and information access. A participant identified as Hope said the incremental loosening of rules can produce a “slippery slope” that transforms neighborhood character and asked for more time and clearer materials showing “what's allowed now” versus “what would be allowed” if the policy is removed. Councilmember Benedict encouraged residents to review the planning packet and contact staff; she said she believed the owner lives locally and reiterated that the amendment is not a rezoning.

Staff said the Planning Commission will consider the community plan amendment on March 12 at 4 p.m. at the Howard Office Building; the meeting was recorded and will be posted on the Metro Planning Department website along with slides and staff contact information for further comments.

No vote or formal action was taken at the community meeting; the process will advance to the Planning Commission public hearing, followed by the standard rezoning procedures if an applicant later requests a zoning change.