OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Meeting March 17, 2026: Appointments, Zoning, and Budget Items

Metropolitan Council — Tuesday, March 17, 2026
BodyNashville, Tennessee
SessionMetropolitan Council
DateTuesday, March 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:35:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:45

We are going to go ahead and start announcements.

0:49

No, I am not Councilmember Delicia Porterfield, and yes, I am back.

0:55

I will be filling in for our Pro Ten uh tonight.

1:00

Um while she gets here later.

1:05

Uh I want to first go ahead and acknowledge the land we are sitting on.

1:09

We are sitting on Cherokee, Shawnee, and Yuchi land, a reminder that no one is illegal on stolen land.

1:18

I also want to wish everybody a happy St.

1:20

Patrick's Day.

1:22

I see some of y'all are wearing green.

1:24

Some of y'all are colorblind and can't see that.

1:29

I also want to wish our Muslim uh neighbors a happy Ramadan.

1:36

I know some of them are observing some of the final days.

1:39

Um and I also want to take a moment to um acknowledge that there is a certain congressman who has recently made statements stating that they are not welcomed here, and they are more American than he will ever be.

2:02

And I want to publicly say that on this floor.

2:06

I have said other things that aren't PG 13, and y'all could go ahead and read those for yourself.

2:13

All right.

2:14

If you have any announcements and want to get in the queue, go ahead and do that.

2:19

We will be practicing our duolingo tonight.

2:23

All right.

2:24

First up, counts.

2:27

Well, there we go.

2:32

Bradford.

2:37

Go to my uh counselor and Lafea Padrik Sonadiv.

2:41

That's happy St.

2:42

Patrick's Day in Irish.

2:44

Um reminder for residents of District 13 that this Saturday we will be having our monthly office hours at the Dunkin' Donuts there on Bradley Parkway um from 9 to 11 a.m.

2:55

Also for residents in the Smith Springs Road area.

2:58

I know it's been a long time coming, but I've finally been able to get a date set with NDOT and MMPD to have a safety meeting to discuss some of the issues and concerns uh residents have along the Smith Springs Road corridor.

3:10

That meeting is on the 25th at Smith Springs Community Center at 6 p.m.

3:16

All that information is on my Facebook page.

3:18

Thank you.

3:33

And uh particularly uh March 31st.

3:37

Uh and I try my best to be as visible as I possibly can.

3:41

And um, I don't expect everyone to understand or even like me because I don't necessarily like and understand everybody else, but I try my best to lead by example and treat every single person as a normal human as I expect them to treat me.

3:54

Uh and I try my best to lead by example by meeting other people where they are, trying to reach a cross aisle and try to get along with other people so that they will understand that maybe I'm just a normal person without horns and a tail.

4:08

Um, and I'm just trying to do my part every day to to build things and and do better and create conversations.

4:15

And I want to thank every single council member, every single one of my colleagues that have worked with me over the last two years, and the love and and and kindness you all showed me has been amazing.

4:25

Uh is not only the only trans person elected in this room, I'm the only one in the state, and so uh I get a lot of hate, but in this room I get a lot of love, and I just want to say everybody thank you.

4:43

To you and to all Tennesseans and people in this state uh and in this country.

4:52

All right, are there any other yes?

4:55

Concejal vocida.

5:00

Thank you so much.

5:02

Um, um, I just wanted um so many announcements, sorry.

5:10

I'm trying to think through.

5:11

We are having our Greenways audit.

5:13

It started on Saturday, March twelfth.

5:16

Want to thank Council Member Hancock for um walking with Greenways for Nashville, and I want to thank Council Member Welsh, who will be walking this Saturday and hosting the audit walk.

5:27

So you can just go to Greenways for Nashville.

5:29

We have walks um, you know, twice a month.

5:32

Uh, and we are trying to make sure that we um make our greenway safer.

5:38

Um, and then I uh want to just take a moment to um acknowledge our sister city in Mendoza.

5:45

Um, I just got back from the delegation trip there, and it's our seventeenth year uh with this amazing sister city in Argentina, and I am very excited that students uh will be visiting us.

5:58

Um, and they'll be coming in two weeks.

6:01

So I look forward to welcoming the students.

6:03

We were able to meet them when we were in Mendoza, and so it's really exciting, and then um, I was also able to meet some elected officials also in Buenos Aires, so very exciting.

6:14

Lots of people want to um learn more about Nashville, and um very excited about um the relationships that we are making abroad, and uh, this is when I do wish that I was fluent in Spanish.

6:26

So gracias.

6:46

Um, Council members yes.

6:50

Oh, he council member Bradford will be singing along as well.

6:54

All right, that concludes announcements.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████28%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Zoning and Land Use████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████11%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Homelessness█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Historic Metro Courthouse. The meeting covered appointments, confirmations, public comments, a rule amendment, several resolutions, and numerous zoning ordinances on second and third reading. Key actions included approval of a sign code update, adoption of two Commercial Compatibility Overlay Districts on Buchanan Street, approval of a mixed-use development in Wedgewood-Houston, and deferral of a water bill credit ordinance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of March 3, 2026.
  • Confirmed 17 appointments to various boards and commissions (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Civil Service Commission, Board of Equalization, Planning Commission, Public Library Board, Traffic and Parking Commission) by unanimous voice vote.
  • Approved a consent agenda containing numerous resolutions and ordinances on second and third reading, including grants, contracts, and zoning changes, with a vote of 31-0 (items removed: RS2026-1829, BL2025-1168, BL2025-1169, BL2026-1266, and others as noted).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Todd Horn (Ridgemont neighborhood) opposed item 77 (West Campbell Road development), stating 98% of the neighborhood is against the project due to lack of infrastructure studies and desired design changes.
  • Paul Pleeman (speaking on item 77) addressed his ethics complaint against Councilmember Gamble, claiming false allegations of racism and public safety concerns; he urged the council to consider the impacts.
  • Michael Lacey spoke in support of item 16 (homeless services funding), citing a case of a couple evicted from interim housing and questioning the Office of Homeless Services' practices.
  • Michael Hodge (District 31) supported the Barnes Housing Trust Fund, noting that for every dollar from the fund, nonprofits generate nine additional dollars, and urging $30 million allocation.
  • Elliot Perry (District 21) opposed items 57 and 58 (Buchanan Street overlays), arguing that pending state legislation (HB 1837) could provide compensation protections that would not apply retroactively, creating unfairness.
  • Andrew O'Kiki requested a resolution against ICE cooperation, citing a recent case of a journalist allegedly abused by ICE.
  • Valeria Lopez (business owner on Buchanan Street) asked for deferral of the overlays until after the state legislative session to avoid preemptive impact.

Discussion Items

  • Rule 50 Amendment: A proposed amendment to election procedures for boards and commissions was deferred for one meeting after discussion. The substitute by Chair Cash would allow a two-thirds vote to postpone elections. Councilmembers Parker and Sepulveda raised concerns about maintaining review of recorded interviews.
  • RS2026-1829 (Youth Villages grant): Approved 32-0 with one abstention (Kupin).
  • RS2026-1832 (MOU with Vanderbilt for emergency medication dispensing): Approved 32-0 with one abstention (Bradford).
  • RS2026-1833 (Data use agreement with TN Dept. of Health): Approved 33-0. Councilmember Welsh questioned whether fetal death data could be used for abortion tracking; administration clarified it is one-way data for health research.
  • RS2026-1840 ($1.5M to Hospitality Hub of Memphis for interim housing): Approved 31-2 (Bradford and Welsch opposed). Councilmember Welsh expressed concerns about transparency from OHS; others praised the organization.
  • RS2026-1846 (Music City Walk of Fame sign): Withdrawn by sponsor.
  • BL2026-1255 (Sandwich board signs): Deferred one meeting by rule.
  • BL2026-1295 (Community meeting requirements for leasing Metro property): Deferred one meeting by rule.
  • BL2025-1148 (Sign code update): Passed third reading as substituted, 31-0.
  • BL2025-1168 and BL2025-1169 (Buchanan Street Commercial Compatibility Overlay Districts): Both passed third reading with votes of 31-1 (Ellis no) and 1 abstention (Welsch). Welsch abstained citing insufficient information.
  • BL2026-1248/1249 (Wedgewood-Houston mixed-use development SP): Passed third reading as amended, 31-0.
  • BL2026-1266 (Murfreesboro Pike rezoning): Deferred one meeting at sponsor's request.
  • BL2026-1291 (KIPP Nashville Global Mall redevelopment agreement): Passed third reading 30-1 (Bradford no) with one abstention (Lee).
  • BL2026-1294 (Winter storm water/sewer credit): After extensive discussion, a motion to defer one meeting and re-refer to Budget and Finance Committee passed by voice vote. Councilmember Johnston proposed a substitute targeting relief via ARPA funds to MAC, but withdrew it after learning $930,000 was already allocated. The deferral motion carried.

Key Outcomes

  • Confirmed 17 appointments to boards and commissions.
  • Adopted RS2026-1827 (beer permit exemption for Sally's Stay Awhile) after public hearing.
  • Approved consent agenda with 31-0 vote.
  • Passed multiple resolutions and ordinances individually, including youth services grants, health department agreements, and zoning changes.
  • Deferred Rule 50 amendment, BL2026-1255, BL2026-1295, BL2026-1266, and BL2026-1294.
  • Withdrew RS2026-1846.
  • Noted that $930,000 in ARPA funds is already allocated to Metro Action Commission for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance for storm-affected residents.

Meeting Transcript

We are going to go ahead and start announcements. No, I am not Councilmember Delicia Porterfield, and yes, I am back. I will be filling in for our Pro Ten uh tonight. Um while she gets here later. Uh I want to first go ahead and acknowledge the land we are sitting on. We are sitting on Cherokee, Shawnee, and Yuchi land, a reminder that no one is illegal on stolen land. I also want to wish everybody a happy St. Patrick's Day. I see some of y'all are wearing green. Some of y'all are colorblind and can't see that. I also want to wish our Muslim uh neighbors a happy Ramadan. I know some of them are observing some of the final days. Um and I also want to take a moment to um acknowledge that there is a certain congressman who has recently made statements stating that they are not welcomed here, and they are more American than he will ever be. And I want to publicly say that on this floor. I have said other things that aren't PG 13, and y'all could go ahead and read those for yourself. All right. If you have any announcements and want to get in the queue, go ahead and do that. We will be practicing our duolingo tonight. All right. First up, counts. Well, there we go. Bradford. Go to my uh counselor and Lafea Padrik Sonadiv. That's happy St. Patrick's Day in Irish. Um reminder for residents of District 13 that this Saturday we will be having our monthly office hours at the Dunkin' Donuts there on Bradley Parkway um from 9 to 11 a.m. Also for residents in the Smith Springs Road area. I know it's been a long time coming, but I've finally been able to get a date set with NDOT and MMPD to have a safety meeting to discuss some of the issues and concerns uh residents have along the Smith Springs Road corridor. That meeting is on the 25th at Smith Springs Community Center at 6 p.m. All that information is on my Facebook page. Thank you. And uh particularly uh March 31st. Uh and I try my best to be as visible as I possibly can. And um, I don't expect everyone to understand or even like me because I don't necessarily like and understand everybody else, but I try my best to lead by example and treat every single person as a normal human as I expect them to treat me. Uh and I try my best to lead by example by meeting other people where they are, trying to reach a cross aisle and try to get along with other people so that they will understand that maybe I'm just a normal person without horns and a tail. Um, and I'm just trying to do my part every day to to build things and and do better and create conversations. And I want to thank every single council member, every single one of my colleagues that have worked with me over the last two years, and the love and and and kindness you all showed me has been amazing. Uh is not only the only trans person elected in this room, I'm the only one in the state, and so uh I get a lot of hate, but in this room I get a lot of love, and I just want to say everybody thank you. To you and to all Tennesseans and people in this state uh and in this country. All right, are there any other yes? Concejal vocida. Thank you so much. Um, um, I just wanted um so many announcements, sorry. I'm trying to think through. We are having our Greenways audit. It started on Saturday, March twelfth. Want to thank Council Member Hancock for um walking with Greenways for Nashville, and I want to thank Council Member Welsh, who will be walking this Saturday and hosting the audit walk. So you can just go to Greenways for Nashville. We have walks um, you know, twice a month. Uh, and we are trying to make sure that we um make our greenway safer.

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