OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metro Council Meeting - August 5, 2025: Nations UDO, Deferrals, and Public Hearings

Metropolitan CouncilTuesday, August 5, 2025
BodyNashville, Tennessee
SessionMetropolitan Council
DateTuesday, August 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

We are going to go ahead and get started with announcements.

0:09

First, I'd like to say we are currently sitting on Cherokee Suwanee and Yuchi Land.

0:19

A reminder that no one is uh illegal on stolen land.

0:25

All right.

0:27

We have a two presentations.

0:30

We're gonna start off with Councilmember Koopin.

0:32

Um Councilmember Coopin, are you ready?

0:45

Give me just a minute.

0:58

All righty.

1:00

Ah, thank you, Pro Tem for joining us as well.

1:02

Um I'm honored to have the uh family here of Dot Dobbins, um, who we know we tragically lost uh in June.

1:11

We also have members of the uh the Germantown neighborhood and German Town Commons among others.

1:15

Um and we know that this was such a horrific and tragic loss on our streets with somebody who was just walking home from the dog park and should be with us right now.

1:24

And so I know that since that moment we've done a lot of work to um not let this be in vain and to work on our infrastructure and save crossings and things like that.

1:34

Um, but obviously nothing will replace Dot to us.

1:37

So um we have a resolution that we passed as a counsel um honoring all the work and contributions that Dot made um to the neighborhood and also to the city, she was just an incredible woman, and um forever will be in the record books of our city.

1:51

Um so I'd like to read that, read that to y'all now, and then we'll just kind of go around.

1:56

Um, whereas Dorothy Eileen Dot Dobbins was born on July 17th, 1947 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

2:04

Her father, C.

2:05

Ray Dobbins was an ordained minister, and her mother, Mary Alice Smith Dobbins, was an elementary school teacher, and whereas Dot was the second of seven children.

2:17

She grew up in Memphis, where she attended Central High School.

2:20

After graduation, Dot attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she studied politics, religion, and history, and whereas while in college, she became active in the YMCA, attending programs in New York and Berkeley.

2:38

She also participated in the memorial march for Martin Luther King Jr.

2:42

in Memphis in April 1968.

2:45

She graduated from SMU in 1969.

2:49

And whereas her graduation, whereas after graduation, Dot worked for a year in welfare service in Dallas and then became a resident advisor to disadvantaged teenage girls in a job corps program in New Jersey for one year after these experiences, she decided to attend law school and whereas in 1971, Dot entered Vanderbilt Law School as one of only 12 women in a class of 150.

3:22

For Dot Law School was a way to engage in her passion of community service, joining the organization now as the legal aid society of Middle Tennessee to provide legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable members of the community.

3:36

And whereas after law school, Dot began working full-time at legal aid.

3:43

She worked at legal aid for 13 years, becoming the head of the family law unit, and whereas in addition to her work with legal aid, Dot became a passionate advocate in Nashville.

3:57

She worked with the Nashville YWCA to establish the first domestic violence shelter in the city.

4:17

Whereas in 1987, Dot was invited to serve as the general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

4:24

One of her greatest accomplishments was the passage of the Tennessee Uniform Standard of Child Support Law passed in 1989.

4:33

And whereas in 1990, Dot left the Tennessee Department of Human Services and began practicing law in the private sector.

4:44

In 1993, she partnered with her Vanderbilt Law School classmate Erwin Vennick to establish the firm of Dobbins and Vennick.

4:53

She continued in private practice for 20 years.

5:00

She continued in private practice for 20 years and whereas Dot also continued her work in the public sector, serving on the Metropolitan Social Services Commission and as a trustee of the public policy committee of Senior Citizens Inc., she also helped draft the first order of protection legislation in Tennessee to allow courts to issue orders to protect victims against abuse.

5:21

And whereas Dot was also committed to the Alternative to Violence Project, which is an international movement which offers experiential workshops that sensitize participants to violent tendencies in their lives and help them learn ways to defuse conflict and confront.

5:40

In 2006, she was trained and certified as an AVP facilitator and participated in numerous AVP workshops.

5:47

And she actually concluded a AVP exercise on death and dying for the National Friends Meeting on the very day she died.

5:56

And whereas Dot was also a founding member of the Cohousing Project of Germantown Commons, the first of its kind in Tennessee.

6:02

German Town Commons was founded in the co-housing community model meant to nurture a sense of community and neighborly bond.

6:09

And whereas Dot was married to Paul Schrag from 1978 until his death in 2008 after a battle with a rare degenerative neurological disease, through which Dot served as a devoted caregiver.

6:20

And whereas Dot's rich life was tragically cut short on June 8th, 2025, when she was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking her dog Angel in a crosswalk on Third Avenue North in Germantown.

6:32

And whereas Dot is survived by her daughter Nan, her son-in-law, and four grandchildren, she was a true pillar of the Nashville community, and her tragic loss will be felt by many.

6:42

And whereas it is fitting that the Metropolitan Council honors the life of Dorothy Dot Dobbins for her many contributions to Nashville and Davidson County.

6:50

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan Council goes on record honoring the life and legacy of Dorothy Dot Dobbins and reflects on her important contributions to Nashville and Davidson County.

7:05

And this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

7:18

Thank y'all.

7:51

Thank you, Councilmember Coopin and Dot's family for being here.

8:14

All right.

8:25

In the meantime, if there are any council members with announcements, go ahead and get in the queue.

8:32

And I'm going to ask you all to bear with me while I get this out.

8:38

Because the governor has authorized the National Guard to assist ICE.

8:44

And we also have the governor of Texas issuing arrest warrants for legislators for not having quorum, which is not illegal.

8:53

We have a state who's looking we have states who are looking to redistrict to give themselves more seats.

9:00

And every day we still have people who are going missing.

9:10

Because if you are going to work sites, then it wasn't about them being lazy.

9:16

Because if it was about picking up criminals, then you wouldn't be picking up mothers, children, even U.S.

9:25

citizens for just being brown.

9:30

Because if it was about patriotism, you wouldn't beat the father of three Marines.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use████████████████████████████████████36%
Procedural████████████████████20%
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety████4%
Public Health1%
Personnel Matters1%
Environmental Protection1%
Summary of Proceedings

Metro Council Meeting - August 5, 2025

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its 15th meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The meeting included announcements, a presentation honoring the life of Dorothy "Dot" Dobbins, public comments, extensive public hearings, and votes on numerous zoning and resolution items. The most debated item was a proposed Urban Design Overlay (UDO) and rezoning for 329.32 acres in the Nations neighborhood, which passed on second reading after a motion to defer for six meetings was tabled.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously: Resolutions 2025-1379 through 2025-1412 (excluding 1384 and 1390) and ordinances on second and third reading (including BL2025-950, 951, 860, 861, 897, 907, 912-924) were passed as a single block after item 73 (RS2025-1415) and items 123-124 (BL2025-860/861) were removed.

Presentations and Announcements

  • Councilmember Koopin presented a resolution honoring Dorothy "Dot" Dobbins (1947–2025), a lifelong advocate for social justice and legal aid who was struck and killed in a crosswalk on June 8, 2025. The resolution passed.
  • Councilmember Harrell presented a proclamation for the 200th anniversary of Hamilton United Methodist Church.
  • Councilmember Porterfield announced a District 3 quarterly meeting on August 12.
  • Councilmember Webb promoted the upcoming Tomato Fest in East Nashville.
  • Councilmember Bo announced a community safety meeting on August 7 and a 5K on August 16.
  • Councilmember Gregg announced a ribbon-cutting for the restored Two Rivers Mansion on August 9.
  • Vice Mayor Henderson announced a Paragon Mills Open Streets Block Party on August 24.
  • Councilmember Benedict made a general announcement about future announcements.
  • Councilmember Sepulveda noted a YWCA event for the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
  • Speaker Pro Tem gave remarks on immigration enforcement, stating the National Guard assisting ICE is being authorized and calling for vigilance against overreach.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Madeline Fahy, Claire Norris, Tana Miller, Mitchell Miller (four speakers, all from District 28) opposed BL2025-872/873 regarding Franklin Limestone Road. They cited safety issues, a petition with 1,400 signatures, and concerns about an asphalt plant nearby. Councilmember Benton later deferred both bills indefinitely.
  • Michelle Flynn spoke in support of RS2025-1413, urging council support for state legislation requiring ICE officers to wear identification and not masks.

Discussion Items

  • Franklin Limestone Road bills (BL2025-872/873): Sponsor Benton moved to defer indefinitely, citing a need to address safety and traffic concerns raised by constituents. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Bellmead Theater site (BL2025-703/704): Sponsor Gadd deferred the public hearing to the first October meeting.
  • BL2025-727 (800 Gwen Drive): Sponsor Benedict deferred to the first September meeting.
  • BL2025-796 (107 East Campbell Road): Sponsor Gamble deferred to the first September meeting due to notice requirements.
  • BL2025-820 (written notice for final site plans): Sponsor Huffman opened a public hearing; no public comment. The bill passed on second reading.
  • Nations UDO & Rezoning (BL2025-830/831/832): The most debated item. The zoning change would affect 2,500+ parcels across 329 acres, shifting from R6 to RM40-A.NS zoning with a detailed UDO.
    • Supporters (including Eric Patton, Richard Andrews, Emily Fountain, and planning staff) argued the plan addresses stormwater, tree canopy, walkability, and missing-middle housing. The Nations Neighborhood Association voted 79% in favor. Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously.
    • Opponents (including Lauren Magley, Rachel Gladstone, Corinne Schaper, and over two dozen speakers) argued the plan was rushed, lacked infrastructure analysis, would not guarantee affordability, and that only 51 residents voted in favor (less than 2% of the neighborhood). They requested a deferral for more community engagement.
    • Council debate: A motion by Councilmember Styles to defer for six meetings was tabled (by a voice vote). Chair Gamble’s subsequent motion to defer for two meetings was ruled improper under Robert’s Rules. Councilmember Benedict called the previous question, which carried. The bill passed on second reading, 26-7-4 (four abstentions). Sponsor Horton stated amendments would be considered on third reading.
  • Minimum parking requirements for bars/nightclubs (BL2025-837): Sponsor Huffman moved approval; passed on second reading.
  • BL2025-882/883 (1007/1009 Sally Drive): Sponsor Benedict moved approval; passed on second reading.
  • BL2025-908 (beer/cigarette market regulations): Sponsor Benedict deferred to the first September meeting.
  • Other bills (BL2025-925 through BL2025-947) were approved on second reading without discussion.

Resolutions

  • RS2025-1384 ($50,000 for Music City Construction Careers workforce program): Passed after committee reports.
  • RS2025-1390 (Arts Build Communities grant for Bordeaux Library mural): Passed as substituted.
  • RS2025-1413 (supporting state legislation on law enforcement identification): Passed after debate. Sponsor Swara emphasized public safety and protections for women and immigrants. Councilmember Driffel raised concerns about undercover operations; Swara clarified the resolution supports state-level work.

Other Actions

  • Appointments confirmed (via consent): Ian Purdy (Electric Power Board), Alfonso Harvey and Robert Miller (Hospital Authority), Kara Ints and Jeff Teague (Human Relations Commission), Leslie Bugs, Kanika Covert, Joseph Mitchell, Veronica Yerby (Metro Action Commission), and Timothy Reed Jr., Willie J. Sims Jr., and Jeff Syracuse (Nashville Entertainment Commission).
  • Deferrals: Several nominees (Industrial Development Board, Employee Benefit Board) were withdrawn; others (Fire & Building Code Appeals Board, Historic Commission) deferred one meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Subjects deferred indefinitely: BL2025-872/873 (Franklin Limestone Road) by sponsor motion.
  • Subjects deferred to future meetings: BL2025-703/704 (first October), BL2025-727 (first September), BL2025-796 (first September), BL2025-908 (first September), BL2025-946 (first September).
  • Bills passed on second reading: BL2025-820, 830, 831, 832, 837, 882, 883, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 947.
  • Bills withdrawn by sponsor: BL2025-931/932 (Eagle View Boulevard) due to clerical redundancy.
  • Resolutions adopted: RS2025-1384, 1390, 1413 (all as amended/substituted).
  • Next meeting: August 19, 2025, for nominations to President Pro Tem, Planning and Zoning Chair, and other board positions.

Meeting Transcript

We are going to go ahead and get started with announcements. First, I'd like to say we are currently sitting on Cherokee Suwanee and Yuchi Land. A reminder that no one is uh illegal on stolen land. All right. We have a two presentations. We're gonna start off with Councilmember Koopin. Um Councilmember Coopin, are you ready? Give me just a minute. All righty. Ah, thank you, Pro Tem for joining us as well. Um I'm honored to have the uh family here of Dot Dobbins, um, who we know we tragically lost uh in June. We also have members of the uh the Germantown neighborhood and German Town Commons among others. Um and we know that this was such a horrific and tragic loss on our streets with somebody who was just walking home from the dog park and should be with us right now. And so I know that since that moment we've done a lot of work to um not let this be in vain and to work on our infrastructure and save crossings and things like that. Um, but obviously nothing will replace Dot to us. So um we have a resolution that we passed as a counsel um honoring all the work and contributions that Dot made um to the neighborhood and also to the city, she was just an incredible woman, and um forever will be in the record books of our city. Um so I'd like to read that, read that to y'all now, and then we'll just kind of go around. Um, whereas Dorothy Eileen Dot Dobbins was born on July 17th, 1947 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Her father, C. Ray Dobbins was an ordained minister, and her mother, Mary Alice Smith Dobbins, was an elementary school teacher, and whereas Dot was the second of seven children. She grew up in Memphis, where she attended Central High School. After graduation, Dot attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she studied politics, religion, and history, and whereas while in college, she became active in the YMCA, attending programs in New York and Berkeley. She also participated in the memorial march for Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis in April 1968. She graduated from SMU in 1969. And whereas her graduation, whereas after graduation, Dot worked for a year in welfare service in Dallas and then became a resident advisor to disadvantaged teenage girls in a job corps program in New Jersey for one year after these experiences, she decided to attend law school and whereas in 1971, Dot entered Vanderbilt Law School as one of only 12 women in a class of 150. For Dot Law School was a way to engage in her passion of community service, joining the organization now as the legal aid society of Middle Tennessee to provide legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable members of the community. And whereas after law school, Dot began working full-time at legal aid. She worked at legal aid for 13 years, becoming the head of the family law unit, and whereas in addition to her work with legal aid, Dot became a passionate advocate in Nashville. She worked with the Nashville YWCA to establish the first domestic violence shelter in the city. Whereas in 1987, Dot was invited to serve as the general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Human Services. One of her greatest accomplishments was the passage of the Tennessee Uniform Standard of Child Support Law passed in 1989. And whereas in 1990, Dot left the Tennessee Department of Human Services and began practicing law in the private sector. In 1993, she partnered with her Vanderbilt Law School classmate Erwin Vennick to establish the firm of Dobbins and Vennick. She continued in private practice for 20 years. She continued in private practice for 20 years and whereas Dot also continued her work in the public sector, serving on the Metropolitan Social Services Commission and as a trustee of the public policy committee of Senior Citizens Inc., she also helped draft the first order of protection legislation in Tennessee to allow courts to issue orders to protect victims against abuse. And whereas Dot was also committed to the Alternative to Violence Project, which is an international movement which offers experiential workshops that sensitize participants to violent tendencies in their lives and help them learn ways to defuse conflict and confront. In 2006, she was trained and certified as an AVP facilitator and participated in numerous AVP workshops. And she actually concluded a AVP exercise on death and dying for the National Friends Meeting on the very day she died. And whereas Dot was also a founding member of the Cohousing Project of Germantown Commons, the first of its kind in Tennessee. German Town Commons was founded in the co-housing community model meant to nurture a sense of community and neighborly bond. And whereas Dot was married to Paul Schrag from 1978 until his death in 2008 after a battle with a rare degenerative neurological disease, through which Dot served as a devoted caregiver. And whereas Dot's rich life was tragically cut short on June 8th, 2025, when she was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking her dog Angel in a crosswalk on Third Avenue North in Germantown. And whereas Dot is survived by her daughter Nan, her son-in-law, and four grandchildren, she was a true pillar of the Nashville community, and her tragic loss will be felt by many. And whereas it is fitting that the Metropolitan Council honors the life of Dorothy Dot Dobbins for her many contributions to Nashville and Davidson County. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan Council goes on record honoring the life and legacy of Dorothy Dot Dobbins and reflects on her important contributions to Nashville and Davidson County. And this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it. Thank y'all. Thank you, Councilmember Coopin and Dot's family for being here. All right.

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