Metropolitan Council Meeting July 15, 2025: Downtown Business Improvement District Expansion Approved After Amendments
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Metropolitan Council Meeting July 15, 2025
The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County met in regular session on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The meeting included a public hearing and extensive debate on a bill to expand the Downtown Central Business Improvement District (CBID) to include the Gulch, along with consideration of numerous appointments, zoning changes, and consent items. 37 council members were present, with 4 absent. The meeting lasted approximately several hours.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the July 1, 2025 meeting.
- Approved 30+ items on the consent agenda, including resolutions accepting grants (e.g., Community Correction Services, E-911, HIV/AIDS programs, senior nutrition services, ESL classes), settlements (e.g., Wesley Burney $300,000, Monica Bermudez $60,000), and various ordinances on second and third reading for zoning changes, easements, and building material restrictions. The consent agenda passed with 31 votes in favor, 0 against, 0 abstentions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On BL2025-896 (5000 Ashland City Highway rezoning): Six residents (Tyler Skelton, Rebecca Ingall, Kathleen Wolf, Brenda Butka, Joseph Ingall, and others) spoke in opposition, citing past zoning violations, lack of community meeting, and concerns about truck traffic and rural character. The bill was later withdrawn by the sponsor.
- On BL2025-872/873 (Franklin Limestone Road industrial rezoning): Multiple speakers (Macy Fluharty, Claire Norris, CJ Titchener, Majid Keshawani, Grace Ann Bendel, and others) opposed the rezoning, citing environmental harm, loss of forest, traffic safety, noise, and inadequate community engagement. They urged the council to defer or reject the bill.
- On BL2025-846 (Downtown CBID expansion): Over 20 speakers participated. Supporters (Malik Gay, Dirk Maltson, Johnny Moore, Annie Claver, Isaiah Henderson, and others) highlighted the Downtown Partnership's clean and safe services, outreach to unhoused individuals, and successful track record. Opponents (Spencer Sharp, Charlie Weingartner, Lindsay Krinks, John Lozier, and others) criticized lack of oversight, private policing, harassment of unhoused people, and failure to submit financial reports for 21 years. They urged rejection or adoption of Councilmember Parker's amendment for board oversight.
Discussion Items
- Appointments and Nominations: Multiple appointments were re-referred or deferred. Alan Slone was confirmed to the Human Relations Commission (unanimous). Nine nominations were made for three vacancies on the Industrial Development Board, with an election set for August 19, 2025.
- BL2025-846 – Downtown Central Business Improvement District Expansion: The bill, co-sponsored by Councilmember Kupin and others, would merge the Gulch Business Improvement District (GBID) with the Downtown CBID and expand the assessment district. After a public hearing, four amendments were adopted: Amendment 1 (Parker) requiring Metro Council confirmation of DMC board members; Amendment 2 (Kupin) setting a specific date for line-item budget reporting; Amendment 3 (Preptit) requiring annual reporting on use-of-force incidents and interactions with unhoused individuals; Amendment 4 (Preptit) requiring a public grievance process. Debate included concerns about state law requiring a vote on the same meeting as the public hearing, and a motion to defer to July 2026 was withdrawn. The bill passed 29-6-1.
- BL2025-897 (Stormwater Management Amendments): Passed on second reading as amended, addressing artificial turf, multi-family structures, and tree credits.
- Zoning Bills on Third Reading: Several bills were deferred or passed. BL2025-752/753 (Cane Ridge Road) passed as amended (31-0-0). BL2025-877/878 (Eagle View Boulevard) passed as amended (29-0-0). BL2025-888/889 (Liberty Lane) passed as amended (30-0-0). BL2025-866 (Ashland City Highway) deferred to September 2025. BL2025-868/869 (Central Pike) deferred one meeting. BL2025-872/873 (Franklin Limestone Road) deferred one meeting. BL2025-874/875 (Kings Lane) deferred to September 2025.
Key Outcomes
- BL2025-846 passed on third reading as amended (29 yes, 6 no, 1 abstain). The expansion will merge the Gulch BID into the Downtown CBID, with new oversight and reporting requirements. The bill cannot be brought back for one year if it had failed.
- BL2025-896 was withdrawn by the sponsor, effectively killing the rezoning for 5000 Ashland City Highway.
- BL2025-897 passed on second reading as amended, updating stormwater management regulations.
- Alan Slone confirmed to the Human Relations Commission (unanimous voice vote).
- Nine nominations were made for the Industrial Development Board; election will be held August 19, 2025.
- Multiple zoning bills were deferred to allow further community engagement or to align with committee schedules.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m. (estimated from transcript).
Meeting Transcript
One night and one night only, I will be your temporary speaker uh speaker pro temp. So um thank you all for on what you're about to do, which is get in the queue if you have any announcements. So um uh this evening, I would love to welcome everyone to the proceedings for um the Metro Nashville and Davidson County Council. But before we begin, I'm gonna acknowledge that we gather on the traditional lands of Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee peoples, who were the original stewards of this region. We honor their enduring connection to this land and the ongoing contributions of our indigenous communities to our city. Um as we convene on this July 15th, we recognize that tomorrow's international or we recognize the International Drag Day, celebrating the art of drag and the performers who bring joy and authenticity to our community. We also honor um that this month is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and acknowledge the unique mental health challenges faced by many of communities of color and our commitment to accessible culturally responsive care. We celebrate those intersections of identity during LGBTQ Disability Pride Month and reflect on the legacy of the King Center's work for justice and nonviolence. This month we will also see the recognition of the Voting Rights Act, and um everyone should have something on the desk to be able to join the YWCA and other organizations, as well as um our council colleague uh Zulfat Swar will be leading us in a march honoring um uh honor honoring the late Congressman um efforts on the voting rights act. Uh, for this evening, um, before we proceed with tonight's regular uh business, we will um recognize individual members in the queue. And with that, I have Councilmember Eastlick, who is first up, and I will. I've gotcha. There you go. You got it. You got it. Congratulations. Thank you. Uh thank you very much for recognizing me. Um, I want to talk about a back to school giveaway that we have in District 11. It will be Saturday, the 26th of July at Temple Baptist on right off Old Hickory Boulevard. This is the second year we've done it. Last year was really great. We give away backpack, school supplies, and other things to help the kids get ready for the upcoming school year. So uh kids must be present while they're there, but from 10 to noon on the 26th of July, please come to Temple Baptist, grab some school school supplies and get ready for the 2025 year. Thank you very much. Oh, that's awesome. Thank you so much, Councilmember Eastley. Councilmember Bradford. You are recognized. Thank you. Uh reminder for residents of District 13. This Saturday is our monthly office hours at the Duncan Donuts that are on Broadley Parkway. So please stop by anytime between 9 and 11 a.m. this Saturday, and then sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee with me and we can chat. Thank you. And the donuts are on you. Okay, sorry. Thank you so much, Councilmember Bradford. Councilmember Greg, you're recognized. Thank you so much. I would like to remind District 15 that I'll have office hours this Saturday from three to four at the new Tim Hortons on Lebanon Pike. And I am not buying donuts. So come out, enjoy the festivities as we get ready for back to school. Thank you so much, Councilmember Greg. Next in a queue, we have Councilmember Wiener. And you are recognized. Thank you so much. I appreciate you calling on me. And Taste of Bellevue for anybody watching is coming back. And the reason I bring it up now, because it's not until October 12th.
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