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Nashville planning board denies conditional rezoning for proposed convenience store near 802 South First
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment, the Town of Nashville Planning Board voted to deny a conditional rezoning request to allow an enlarged convenience store (no fuel pumps) on two parcels behind 802 South First/Break Street; the motion to deny passed unanimously on March 24, 2026.
The Town of Nashville Planning Board voted March 24 to deny a conditional rezoning request that would have allowed two parcels behind 802 South First Street to be rezoned from R10 to conditional non-residential B1 so the owner could demolish the existing building and build a larger convenience market and café without fuel pumps.
The applicant, represented by engineer Kevin Barnell of Stocks Engineering, told the board the proposal would replace a small center-block store with a larger building designed to 'fit in the neighborhood,' add parking and green space, and create walkable grocery and café options for residents. Barnell said DOT had reviewed and approved a site-access sketch and that the applicant had gathered neighborhood support, including an online petition and 66 handwritten letters. "The building design provides a fresh new building while keeping the character of the existing neighborhood," Barnell said during his presentation.
Neighbors who spoke at the public hearing urged the board to deny the rezoning. Several residents cited persistent foot traffic, trespassing, litter and safety concerns around the existing store and said expanding the business would intensify those problems. Leana Richardson, who identified herself as a nearby resident, told the board, "We don't feel safe with the store in our neighborhood," and said she worried that expansion could increase sales of vapes, tobacco and alcohol and expose children to those products.
The public record and packet included police incident reports for the site covering Feb. 23, 2024–Feb. 23, 2026; Barnell told the board the reports "appear to have dramatically decreased" in recent years and said many recent calls were made by the owner or employees. Residents disputed relying on that summary during the hearing and repeatedly emphasized perceived ongoing public-safety impacts and quality-of-life harms.
Board members questioned whether a rezoning would change pre-existing conditions on the site, discussed whether the town could or should place numeric caps on alcohol or vape product display in a larger store, and considered the ability of conditions to address safety and nuisance concerns. Several board members said denial would not remove the existing store but expressed reluctance that either outcome would fully resolve neighborhood problems.
After deliberation, a motion to deny the conditional rezoning was made and seconded; the transcript records the vote as a unanimous denial (recorded as 4–0 in the meeting record). The board noted that the town council can act independently when the item goes to council and that any changes to permitted uses would require separate review and approvals.
The planning board adjourned for a short recess after the vote and proceeded to the next agenda item. The denial will be included in the planning board materials forwarded to the town council ahead of the applicant's next steps; the council retains final authority.
