How Many Ways Can You Redefine The Family
✈️ All backed up at BNA · Grammy adds Best Traditional Country category · Beware of who's driving your rideshare · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Is single-family zoning a relic from a bygone era?... Rideshare crimes and misdemeanors... Smart signals are supposed to help with Nashville's traffic... And much more!
Veteran's Day Screening November 11th, we're hosting a screening at NuMynd Studios of Call Sign Courage, a documentary about the current Under Secretary of the Air Force, Lt. Col. Matt Lohmeier, blowing the whistle on Marxism in the military. RSVP here.
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Could This Be The End of Single-Family Zoning?
From Megan Podsiedlik
Single-family zoning may become a mere suggestion within the Urban Services District (USD). In the heart of Nashville, single-family residential zoning districts (RS) require a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit overlay in order for residents to pursue a permit to build a detached dwelling on their property. All that may change if the Metro Council passes a new bill that would allow DADUs for all RS zoning districts within the USD.
“If you have an aging parent, who has the right to tell you you cannot build a structure on your property to house them?” asked Councilmember Mike Cortese while addressing his colleagues during Tuesday’s council meeting. “If you have a child who's struggling financially, who has the right to tell you you cannot build a structure on your property to house them?”
Regarding affordability and property rights, the appeal cuts to the heart of the matter. But the solution comes with its own set of hurdles.
Councilmember Courtney Johnston appreciates the bill—given that the current DADU Overlay process is “restrictive and difficult”—but wants to add some guardrails to keep the spirit of “accessory dwelling” intact.
“The amendment I put forth reduces the maximum size allowed from 850-1,200 square feet to 700-850, depending on whether your lot size is smaller or greater than 10,000 square feet,” Johnston told us. “In my opinion, 1,200 square feet exceeds the accessory nature of what is intended. Plainly said, a 1,200-square-foot unit is a house, not an accessory.”
While residents worry about infrastructure issues and neighbors building what is essentially equivalent to a second, full-sized home on a single-family lot, there are also enforcement concerns regarding the new legislation. Though the bill stipulates that the owner must occupy one of the units on the property, many are wary that landlords will take advantage of the new code.
During the community presentation on proposed Metro zoning changes two weeks ago, a District 15 resident disparaged Metro’s zoning enforcement, explaining how, despite rules and regulations, big development companies and corporations rent out units in ways that are supposed to be prohibited by Metro Code.
“What we're seeing is a lot of short-term rentals, because [these companies] say they're living in there,” she explained. “They have people come by, get the mail, etc.”
“The state has tied our hands when it comes to some types of short-term rental enforcement when it comes to noises and stuff like that,” said Councilmember Tom Cash during Tuesday’s council meeting. “It's really tough, because you have to take the person to court.” That said, Cash commended the efficiency of Metro’s code enforcement before asking the body to consider looking into community concerns.
The bill that would expand/simplify codes for Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs) passed on second reading last week, and its final reading will be on December 4. A robust discussion about amendments proposed for the new zoning bills will be held during the Planning & Zoning Committee meeting on November 18.
✹ THE SOUTHERN REVIVAL SALON
Join us for a classed-up, cowboy-formal type thing with an open bar, music, and the opportunity to meet some of the most talented and influential people in Nashville. Use the discount code PAMPHLETEER to get 25% off your ticket. (Buy Tickets)
HEADLINES
- 🚧 Several ride-share drivers permanently banned from BNA after organizing a Tennessee Drivers Union protest at the airport in February. Questions remain about how BNA is able to surveil the drivers. (Tennessean)
- 🚕 Rideshare driver on Metro’s most wanted list was arrested last week for an alleged sexual assault of a woman he was driving home. Jamal Alhakari has an immigration detainer hold and a lengthy criminal history, including multiple charges of harassment, stalking, and reckless driving. (Fox 17)
- ✈️ Airport delays continue to pile up. More than 370 flights were delayed at BNA yesterday, even though Nashville International is not among the airports affected by the FAA’s decision to reduce air traffic by 10 percent. (NewsChannel5)
- 🚦 Smart signals are coming to 115 Nashville intersections. The upgrades are part of the newest wave of Choose How You Move projects and are concentrated downtown on Broadway, Charlotte Avenue, Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, Fourth Avenue, and Eighth Avenue. Crews will upgrade traffic signals to allow remote monitoring to sync lights and help the flow of traffic. (NBJ)
- 🏆 The Grammys split the Best Country Album category into two categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album. Nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards were announced on Friday morning. (Saving Country Music)
OUTSIDE REPORTING
- Text Messages Reveal OHS Director Hand-Picked Which Families to Receive Housing: As part of Nashville’s “Non-Traditional Rapid Rehousing” aka "MRRF", Office of Homeless Services Director Calvin had the final say on who was promised "a year of free housing" and a voucher. (Mike Lacy)
DEVELOPMENT
- PNC to open 35 branches in Nashville (Post)
- Belle Meade-area office complex might soon sell (Post)
- Construction Progress At RAY Nashville (City Now Next)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🪕 Of Monsters and Men @ The Pinnacle, 8p, $76+, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Monday with Kyle Tuttle Band @ Dee's Lounge, 6p, $10, Info
🪕 Val Storey, Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle & New Monday @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
💀 Grateful Monday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik and Camelia Brennan.