Metropolitan Council Meeting Summary - November 4, 2025

On November 4, 2025, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville convened for its twentieth regular meeting of the year, addressing the recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Victim Intervention Program, a federal crisis impacting SNAP benefits, and extensive debates over new zoning ordinances for housing affordability. The majority of the evening was dedicated to public hearings on zoning reforms, where residents expressed deep concern regarding infrastructure capacity and neighborhood character, while advocates emphasized the urgent need for workforce housing options.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes of the October 21, 2025, meeting.
• Approved a list of appointments and confirmations for various boards and commissions, including the General Sessions Judges (Division 6), Metro Board of Health, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metro Planning, Stormwater Management Commission, and Charter Revision Commission.
• Adopted resolutions recognizing Carol Etherington Fossick and the 50th anniversary of the Victim Intervention Program (RS 2025-1589).
• Passed multiple budget and zoning-related ordinances on the consent agenda after removing one item at the request of Councilmember Cortez.
• Approved a resolution supporting the mayor's food crisis response (RS 2025-1617) and a resolution to resume hiring the Executive Director for the Nashville Office of Entertainment (RS 2025-1618).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Supporters of SNAP/Fare Suspension: Carter Burnett, Manon Hall, Kelly Chang, and Wesley Smith expressed strong support for suspending WeGo bus fares to assist the 60,000 Nashvillians affected by the federal shutdown. They argued that transportation barriers were exacerbating the hunger crisis and that the fare suspension was a necessary emergency measure to connect people to food resources.
• Opponents of Downtown Funding Pools: Mike Lacey expressed opposition to creating a new midtown central business improvement district (CBID), citing concerns about opaque funding pools, lack of accountability, and past mismanagement of the downtown partnership. He argued that resources should be directed toward solving parking garage issues and security violations rather than creating new advisory boards.
• Opponents of Gig Worker Contracts: Daniel Wotrinsky stated opposition to a $100,000 contract with Uber, arguing the City should not choose gig worker labor over employee wages and that the savings would come at the expense of drivers' livelihoods.
• Victims of Domestic Violence: Maivan Verden shared a personal account of system failure, expressing concern that the Family Safety Center offered a "slap in the face" by prioritizing restraining orders over arresting abusers despite clear evidence, leaving victims in danger.
• Critics of Transparency and Services: Mary Byrd expressed concern regarding a lack of itemized budget transparency from Metro departments and opposition to the tax disparity between General Services and Urban Services districts.
• Opposition to ICE/Avelo Partnership: Andrew O'Keefe and Courtney Settler expressed concern and opposition to the partnership between Avelo Airlines and ICE for deportation flights, urging the Council to distance the city from actions that create fear in neighborhoods.
• Zoning Reform Testimony:
  • Proponents: Numerous speakers from organizations like Nashville Organized for Action and Hope, the Affordable Housing Task Force, and individual residents expressed support for ordinances BL 2025-1005 through 1008. They positioned the new Residential Neighborhood (RN) and Residential Limited (RL) zoning districts as essential tools to create "missing middle" housing (duplexes, townhomes) to keep teachers, firefighters, and service workers in the city. They clarified that the bills provide options but do not automatically rezone properties or eliminate single-family homes without approval.
  • Opponents: A significant number of residents expressed opposition and concern that the zoning changes would destroy neighborhood character, increase traffic, and strain infrastructure (schools, roads, emergency services) that is already at capacity. They argued that the bill does not guarantee affordability, would lead to an increase in property values and taxes, and that an infrastructure study had not yet been completed before this vote.

Discussion Items

• SNAP Crisis and Transportation: The Council debated Resolution 2025-1617 and an amendment to suspend WeGo fares for SNAP recipients. While Councilmember Evans and supporters argued for immediate action to remove barriers to food access during the federal shutdown, the motion to suspend fares was not voted on separately but the resolution was passed in support of the Mayor's efforts. Councilmembers emphasized that the Journey Pass program would not be large enough to meet immediate needs in late November, necessitating the fare suspension.
• Zoning Ordinances (BL 2025-1005, 1006, 1007, 1008):
  • BL 1005 (New Zoning Districts): Councilmember Gamble proposed passing the bill on second reading but deferring the third reading to December 4th. This motion passed 24-11 after a lengthy debate where opponents argued for a total deferral until infrastructure studies were complete, while proponents argued for moving forward with community input to shape the details. Councilmember Druffle's motion to defer second reading was tabled 22-15.
  • BL 1006 (Height Limitations): The public hearing for this ordinance was deferred to December 4th to await the Planning Commission's recommendation.
  • BL 1007 (ADUs): The Council debated the size limits of detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Councilmember Johnston proposed an amendment to reduce the maximum size from 1,200 sq. ft. to 785 sq. ft. based on lot size, which was initially withdrawn to allow for further discussion in committee. The bill was ultimately approved on second reading with the substitute text (including a short-term rental prohibition) and third reading deferred to December 4th.
  • BL 1008 (Voluntary Attainable Housing): This ordinance was recommended by committees to be deferred to January 20, 2026, to align with other pending housing legislation.
• Midtown CBID: A resolution to initiate the creation of a Midtown Central Business Improvement District was passed 22-9 with three abstentions. Councilmember Parker opposed the measure, citing concerns that it was a "carbon copy" of the Downtown CBID model without sufficient accountability mechanisms, though the Council concluded it incorporated necessary reporting requirements.
• Specific Zoning Requests: Various specific rezone requests were discussed and voted on, including projects in Antioch (Starwood), Wedgewood-Houston, and near Murfreesboro Pike. Councilmember Bradley moved to rescind the approval of items 1089 and 1090 (Starwood) due to lack of notice, and these items were collectively deferred to the first meeting in December.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Reform Passage (Second Reading): Ordinances BL 2025-1005 (New Zoning Districts), BL 2025-1007 (ADUs), and BL 2025-1008 (Voluntary Attainable Housing) passed their second reading. BL 1005 and BL 1007 were deferred to the December 4th meeting; BL 1008 was deferred to January 20th.
• ADU Substitute Adoption: The substitute for BL 1007 was adopted, which includes a prohibition on short-term rentals for new ADUs in single-family zones.
• CBID Initiation: Resolution 2025-1594 was adopted, initiating the process for a Midtown CBID with a public hearing scheduled for December 16.
• Food Crisis Resolution: Resolution 2025-1617 was adopted as amended, formally supporting the Mayor's coordination of the food crisis response and including an amendment to suspend WeGo fares for SNAP recipients.
• Rescission and Deferral: The previous approval of BL 1089 and 1090 (Starwood Property) was rescinded, and the public hearing/second reading for these items was deferred to December 4th.
• Deferrals: Several items, including BL 2025-1006 (Height), BL 2025-1101 (Contractor Fees), and BL 2025-1108 (Street Naming), were deferred to future meetings for further committee review or study.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned shortly after midnight following the approval of BL 2025-1062 (Greenway Commission representation) and the suspension of rules for a late-filed amendment.