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City introduces priority review to move qualifying affordable housing projects to front of permitting line
Summary
City staff unveiled a new permit prioritization review that flags qualifying Barnes Fund and other affordable housing projects in CityWorks for advanced review across departments; qualifying non‑Barnes projects must submit funding evidence and accept a five‑year deed restriction.
City housing staff on Tuesday outlined a new 'permit prioritization review' intended to speed permitting for qualifying affordable housing and day‑care projects by flagging them in CityWorks for review ahead of other applications.
Angel Sims, who presented the program, said the process is an "advanced review, not an expedited review" — applications are reviewed in the normal timeframe but are considered earlier than others. Barnes Fund awardees will be automatically certified for priority review; other applicants must submit documentation showing evidence of affordable‑housing funding and accept a five‑year deed restriction (or other long‑term affordability mechanism) to qualify.
How it works: staff will create an 'affordable housing permit' in CityWorks and assign a permit number; the project will then be flagged as affordable so planning, building, site prep, infrastructure, safety/utilities, and inspection plan reviews are scheduled in advance. Sims emphasized accurate paperwork and complete AMI math on submission, and said non‑Barnes applicants must attach funding evidence with their request to nashvillehousing@nashville.gov and allow three business days for initial processing.
Qualification details: Sims summarized percentage thresholds by building type and AMI band (examples include 12.5% affordable units for single‑ and two‑family at 60% AMI or less; varying thresholds for multi‑family and high‑density projects and different rules for for‑sale projects). She said bonus height projects that reach six stories or more have reduced percentage requirements under recently adopted bonus‑height legislation.
Commissioners asked whether the review covers inspections (Sims: yes) and whether Nashville Electric Service is included in prioritized reviews (Sims: NES is not included because it is not a Metro‑governed agency). Sims said staff will accept clerical corrections and can resubmit applications to preserve prioritization if the applicant contacts staff immediately.
Representative quotes: “This is an advanced review, not an expedited review. The review process takes the regular amount of time. However, your application will be reviewed in advance of other applications,” Angel Sims said.
“ There is a deed restriction that for five years,” Sims said when explaining long‑term affordability requirements for non‑Barnes projects.
The department will post updated forms on its website in the coming days and urged Barnes Fund grantees who have active contracts but no permit number to reach out so staff can create the permit record retroactively. The presentation concluded with staff reminders about Round 16 deadlines and communications policies.
