I want to open up this meeting by acknowledging that this meeting is being held on the unceded stolen land of the Cherokee Shiny and Yuchi people, and to remind you all that no one is illegal on stolen land built by stolen labor.

We have two presentations to open up today.

Thank you so much, Madam Chairman.

Um, I'm reading a resolution honoring the contributions of Tom Palco of the Department of Water and Sewage Services upon his retirement.

And uh invite all my colleagues to come back and join me.

So, whereas Tom Palco was hired as the third stormwater employee of the Metropolitan Department of Public Works in March 1985, he was an engineer in training, fresh with a degree from University of Tennessee, working in a meat department cutting chickens.

With five years, the other two stormwater employees had left, and Mr.

Palco became head stormwater employee.

And whereas since the first FEMA flood maps were developed in 1982, Mr.

Palco missed only three years of flood mapping and has been involved in all nine subsequent revisions.

And whereas Mr.

Palco started the stormwater national pollutant discharge elimination system program in 1996 when Nashville was issued the first phase one municipal separate storm sewer system permit.

And whereas Mr.

Palco established Nashville's successful floodplain home buyout program, purchasing and removing 485 homes in the floodplain and restoring nearly 250 acres of Nashville's natural floodplain, turning much of that into public park land.

And whereas the stormwater division moved to what Metro Water Services in 2002, Mr.

Palco was named assistant director, adding the maintenance division to perform daily routine stormwater maintenance activities such as cleaning inlets, the stormwater division has grown to a total of a hundred and thirty-six employees and whereas Mr.

Palco led efforts to create and continuously update the stormwater management manual to regulate impacts of development on stormwater runoff, which includes one of the most stringent flood plan development restrictions within the nation.

The stormwater program has successfully negative navigated through several compliance audits from the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation without any major findings of non-compliance.

Whereas Mr.

Parko's many achievements include receiving the John Ivy Award, which recognizes superior efforts in certification of floodplain managers, serving as ASFPM certified flood planagers, exam working group being responsible nationwide for CFM certification and overseeing the certification of as many as 10 certified floodplain managers at Metro Water Services.

And whereas Mr.

Palk will serve as floodplain basis basics instructors for the Tennessee Association of Flood Plain Management and helped Chad and continue to serve the state chapter of Silver Jackets, which develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions to natural disasters.

And whereas Mr.

Palco is driven to create successful programs and impactful regulations, several of which, such as the home buyout program, four feet above base flood elevation requirement, and May 2010 flood response were the envy of our municipalities at floodplain manager events.

And whereas co-workers at M MWS Metro Water Services refer to Mr.

Palco as a Herculeanly competent and steady, and his hard work and always cheerful demeanor will be missed upon his retirement, leaving very large shoes to fill.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record recognizing the accomplishments of Tom Palco on the occasion of his retirement and thanking him for his many years of service and leadership, improving Nashville's environment and wishing him lots of fun on his retirement.

Well, um yeah, thank you very much.

And I just want to say I appreciate the support I've had all the time through the council and as an engineer, all I wanted to do was give you all good information in a timely manner, and hopefully I did that.

So thank you very much.

Let's get a photo.

Congratulations, Mr.

Palco.

Next we have RS 2026-2029, Councilmember Terry Vowe, a resolution recognized in June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month in Nashville and Davidson County.

Council Member Vaux, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Pro Tem.

Um, June has been, I mean, I feel like this year has been really fast, and for us, we wanted to make sure the immigrant caucus, um, and of course my colleagues, uh, to honor all the amazing immigrants um that live and call Davidson County and Nashville home.

And so I'm gonna read resolution RS 2026-2029, a resolution recognizing June 2026 as immigrant heritage month in Nashville and Davidson County.

Whereas Immigrant Heritage Month was started in 2014 to honor and recognize the countless contributions made by immigrants to the fabric of American society, and whereas the United States is a nation of immigrants, for generations, immigrants from all around the world have built the economy of the United States and shaped the character of our community and whereas immigrants have contributed immeasurably to the economic prosperity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that not only of Nashville and Davidson County, but the United States, and whereas immigrants make up 15% of the population of Nashville and Davidson County, Nashville is also home to the largest Kurdish community in the United States with a population of more than 15,000 hands.

Whereas in 2013, immigrants made up 9.5% of all business owners in the greater Nashville area.

As of 2019, there were over 13,000 immigrant small business owners in this area, showing the importance of the contribution of immigrants to Nashville's economic vitality.

And whereas since January 2025, hundreds of Nashvilleans have been arrested by immigration and customs enforcement.

More than half of these community members had no prior criminal conviction or any pending criminal charges.

And whereas now more than ever is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of immigrants in the United States and fight against policies that harm our immigrant community.

And whereas the Metropolitan Council supports and stands united with our immigrant community, now therefore be resolved by the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davison County.

Okay, I'll read the second section one, the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record recognizing June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month in Nashville and Davidson County.

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

From the Kurdish community, I just want to tell everybody thank you very much.

Thank you for having me.

It was wonderful to see everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you so very much, Councilmember Vaux.

Before we go into the announcement period, I want to start by acknowledging the tragic loss our community has experienced.

On June 30th, Nashville lost a daughter, a leader, and an icon.

Vonda McDaniel, the Queen Mother of Nashville's labor movement.

While many Nashvilleans may never have known her face or her name, countless workers across this city, our state, and our nation have benefited from her vision, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to working people.

For more than 30 years, Vonda has been dedicated to the labor movement, starting as a member of the United Rubber Workers in 1994.

Since 2013, Vonda served as president of the Nashville Central Labor Council and has served as vice president of the AFL CIO Executive Council since 2017.

Beyond those extraordinary leadership roles, she was a founding member of Stand Up Nashville, the Music City Construction Careers, Music City Construction Careers, and the Nashville Justice League as well as Tennessee for All.

Her tireless advocacy helped expand opportunity, strengthen workers' rights, diversify the labor movement, and build a more just community for generations to come.

Her commitment to her faith, her family, and her community leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her and all who have benefited from her life's work.

Her visitation is taking place today at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill until 7:30 p.m., and her funeral will be held tomorrow at the Music City Center.

Today we honor Vonda's legacy and we thank her for her extraordinary service to Nashville and beyond.

Please join me in observing a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Councilmember Sora, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

I also want to rise and share my condolences for the passing of Ms.

Vonda.

When we think about heroes, we think about people with CAP.

Think about people that we read in books.

We even think about icons, people that have passed that made monumental change.

Not a lot of us have uh uh fortunate enough to actually know a living hero, walk with them and stand with them, and Vonda was one of those.

In my tribute to her, I wrote real heroes don't fly.

They stand beside you, they show up, they walk with you, and they walk for you.

Vonda Magnale was that kind of hero to so many.

She spent her life lifting others, making their lives better in ways big and small.

What makes this news so painful is that Vonda was in the hero from a comic book.

She was here with us, living, serving, fighting for workers for her church, for our family, and for our community.

She was real, she was present, she was tireless.

Israel will write about Vonda.

Many hours will carry a name, but all of that will pale in comparison to the memories and stories held by the people who truly knew her.

She was a soldier, a fighter, selfless, caring, and profoundly human.

This lost us, but it was an honor and privilege to know and work with Vonda.

And I know that it's not just me.

She touches so many people in so many ways.

Uh, my prayers are with our families, our friends, our community.

Uh, a lot of people are hurting.

Uh, but Vanda requires us to continue the fight, to continue our legacy to make the world a better place than we found it.

She did that, and I pray that the Lord be with our family, that the Lord comforts them, that he in his mercy hold them and be with them like no other person can.

Thank you.

Councilmember Nasher recognized.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

It's uh always hard to follow such tributes, and I I would like to say that uh what I've what I've noted, Miss Vonda has always been uh uh a friendly face, willingness to help.

Um, as a former labor leader, I know what a big job she had corralling the whole central labor council with all the different interests and what I and she did it magnificently.

Uh also I wanted to uh remind my colleagues to save the date, July 22nd at 2026.

The Andrew Jackson Police Youth Camp will be holding their open house.

Starts at 11 a.m.

Lunch will be served at 12.

Uh the Andrew Jackson Police Youth Camp is a nonprofit summer camp.

Uh on Aldergree Lake in Windsor County.

It's run by the Fraternal Police Lodge Five for underprivileged youth in the Nashville area.

Its mission is to build positive relationships between children and police officers through activities that teach life skills like teamwork, decision making, a safe environment, helping to break down cultural barriers.

The camp features a 35-acre facility with pool, bunkhouse, lake access, uh, and hosting around 300 children each summer.

Um I invite you to come up.

The police department has a great job coming up.

They've got the helicopters, the robots, uh, the horses, uh, canine exhibitions.

Uh, it's something that uh as council people, I think you'd be interested in seeing just as well as uh seeing what a great facility it is for the kids and uh and this uh great community outreach that the police department does.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Nash, Councilmember Vaug, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Pro Tem.

Um, I um just echo your beautiful words for uh Miss Vonda um as we remember what an amazing leader she was in our community.

Um, I just want to invite everyone uh with this amazing music.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Councilmember Gat.

Uh, gamble.

Um, tomorrow, we are so excited.

Um, uh in partnership with the mayor's office and endot and choose how you move.

We are gonna do a groundbreaking for a complete street on Chestnut Street.

So that will be happening tomorrow at 10 30, um, right by Dicey's um in the district.

So very excited for that.

Um, and I want to make sure that everyone knows.

I know that the World Cup is happening right now, and even though the U.S.

uh was eliminated last night.

Uh we've got soccer here happening in Nashville Davidson County.

So youth soccer is happening and registration is open now through August 7th, and the season will begin September 12th.

And this is in partnership with uh Metro Parks, and it's for group ages six and under, eight and under, and eleven and under, which is very exciting.

So if you've got kids and you need them to get some energy released, have them sign up for some youth soccer with our Metro Parks.

Um, and I just also want to remind everyone about our um language survey that's going on with MHRC.

Um, it is a quick five-minute survey to share um your experience uh with the language services provided by Metro Nashville.

We have them available in 12 languages in Spanish, Burmese, Tagalog, Creole, Nepali, Kurdish, Arabic, Chinese, Somali, Korean, Haitian, Vietnamese, and English.

If you um need a language for your community, please reach out and let us know.

And uh this Saturday, just want to invite everyone to the uh Wedgewood Houston Art Crawl.

Uh, it typically is on the first Saturday, but because of 4th of July, it's this Saturday.

Um, and last thing is July is Parks and Recreational Month.

And I just want to highlight the mission of Metro Parks um about their sustainable and equitable way of providing to everyone in Nashville and Davidson County.

And um, our park system uh was established in April of 1901 with Watkins Park as our first park in the city, followed by Centennial Park in 1902.

Metro Park offers a variety of facilities and programs throughout Davidson County that includes over 15,000 acres of open space, 189 parks, 110 miles of greenways, 158 playgrounds, seven public golf courses, two splash pads, five year-round pools, three outdoor pools, 12 dog parks, seven historical sites, twenty-eight regional and neighborhood community centers, a hundred and fifty-five tenants and pickleball courts, seventy-three basketball courts, the Centennial Sports Plex, Wave Country, and a variety of other recreational facilities and opportunities.

And so we really hope that you will come and enjoy all the parks of um that Metro Parks has to offer.

And uh we just wanted to make sure that we celebrate Metro Parks and we hope that you get out there and of course stay hydrated.

Thanks.

Thank you, Councilmember Vaugh.

I think you forgot a partridge and a pear tree, but thank you.

Um I do have one more quick announcement, then I'm gonna go to Councilmember Sorora.

Uh, and for our friends that are visiting us for the very first time, I promise our announcement periods are not usually this heavy.

But unfortunately, we lost two giants in the civil rights movement and in our community.

So I also want to take a moment to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs.

Rosetta Miller Perry, who passed on June 26th, a pioneering journalist, civil rights advocate, business leader, veteran, and community builder whose impact on Nashville, Tennessee and beyond will be felt for generations.

Mrs.

Perry dedicated her life to ensuring that truth was told, justice was pursued, and the voices of black communities were heard.

From serving in the United States Navy and working alongside leaders of the civil rights movement during one of the most pivotal moments in our nation's history to leading the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Nashville, she spent her life breaking barriers and creating opportunities for others.

As the founder and publisher of the Tennessee Tribune, she transformed Black Media into a powerful platform for advocacy, education, and celebration.

She also founded the Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, established scholarships and journalism programs, mentor countless young leaders, and champion civic engagement, always reminding us of the importance of using our voices and our votes to create change.

Mrs.

Berry received hundreds of honors throughout her lifetime, but perhaps her greatest achievement was the legacy she leaves and the people she inspired, the institutions she built, and the door she opened for those who followed.

As we begin today's meeting, I want to remember and acknowledge Mrs.

Rosetta Miller Perry with deep gratitude and respect, and may we honor her memory by continuing her commitment to truth, service, justice, and opportunity for all.

Council Member Sorora, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for agreeing that we should split the um acknowledgement into two because they're two powerful women and lumping them into one is not gonna do them justice, which is why I wanted to do Vanda first and then do Miss Rosetta Perry.

I had the incredible honor of being inducted to the Tennessee Women Hall of Fame with Miss Perry in 2015.

I've seen her walk and done a lot of stuff with her, but what stood out to me the most uh was in 2019 when I first uh ran for office and I started getting uh attacks and all the stuff that some of you knew about.

Uh, she was one of the people that uh stood by me, wrote about it.

Um, she she doesn't mix words, let me tell you that.

Uh uh she's very bold and she wouldn't have done all the things that she did if she if she wasn't.

She was an icon, a trade blazer.

She opened the door for so many people.

Uh and Nashville is blessed to have had her in our mission.

She will be sorely missed.

Uh, and before I sit down, since we're talking about civil rights and civil rights icon, as many of you know, um, we will be having the John Louise Way march on July 18.

Another events that we use to honor those that have passed that made Nashville what it is today, a welcoming city that we all talk about uh that allows for all of us to be here.

And for those who did not know, uh, because of the efforts of our icons, Nashville became the first city in the South to desegregate the launch counters.

And so, in honor of that legacy, uh we do a John Lewis march to thank them for what they did, but also to remind all of us.

Uh, we've talked about Vonda, we talk about Miss Perry, we talk about John Lewis.

We we we name them and we honor them.

Uh, but the best thing we can do is to emulate them.

The best we can do is when we see something that is not right in our own time, that we get up and we fight against it.

John Lewis's legacy is the voting rights act.

And I will be remiss if I don't talk about all the attack on our voting that is going on right now, all the redistricting that is happening across the country.

This is an attack on black and brown votes.

And so we don't just want to name them, we just don't want to honor them.

This is our opportunity to do something.

We are here now.

We will be gone someday.

And I hope that we learn from them.

So matching is a form of protest, and so we're asking that you join us on July 18th at 8 a.m.

The march starts at the Tennessee Library and Archives.

It's a one-mile march.

We'll be marching to the Ryman Auditorium.

Uh future speaker this year will be Dr.

Michael Eric Dyson, a prolific speaker.

Uh, we have all the uh a lot of the churches, uh, pastors that will be leading the march with us.

This movement started in the church.

And so we're gonna have uh Dr.

Brown from the Lawson Center and a whole bunch of other people, the ABC president joining us in the march.

So I'm inviting all of you, please come out.

Uh, let's protest with our feet.

Let's put it protest with our mouths.

Let's protest with our policies, let's protest and do what these people are doing that makes them an icon.

Uh, that we live this world better for those that are coming behind us.

And that thank you, Madame Prote.

Thank you.

And uh closing us out, we have Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda.

Councilmember, you're happy birthday, Councilmember Sepulveda.

Thank you.

Um, I just have two quick announcements.

Today is the last day to register to vote.

So if you want to give me a present, go ahead and register to vote.

Um, I also wanted to announce that Mariposa Park is finally gonna open on July 11th, but just this Saturday at 10 a.m.

It will be at 140 Tusclam Road.

There will be music, food, and a lot of fun.

So come on out.

Um, it is uh something that has been worked on for a very long time.

So I'm very proud that it's finally happening.

And um, uh last I just wanted to say that uh Wanda was a champion for the for the labor movement, and she was one of the best of us.

So um I'm glad that we gotta honor her legacy today at her viewing and tomorrow at her celebration of life.

Thank you, Councilmember, and again, happy birthday.

And with that, our announcement period is adjourned.

This has been a service of the Metro Nashville Network.

If you would like to see this presentation again, or for more information on this and other programs, visit Nashville.gov.

I would use one of them in the thing.

I don't know.

Oh no, I don't know if I'm going to get this.

No, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026.

We do now have a quorum.

Thank you for your patience.

This is the sixty-fourth regular meeting of the current term of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville in Davidson County.

Will all members of the council as well as the public please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

The invocation is being offered this evening by the Reverend Dr.

Kim McLean of Music City West Church of the Nazarene.

She is the guest of District 19 Council Member Jacob Coopin.

Welcome, Pastor McLean.

You are recognized.

Good evening.

Nashville is known as Music City, the place that makes you think of the songs, the stages, the studios, and the stars.

The rich creative culture here has a colloquial feel that gives it organic authenticity.

Two familiar mottos in the music community are it all begins with a song, and musicians are the reason it's called Music City.

Nashville's arts culture feeds the soul of all great industries thriving here, from health care to education, trade and government.

Without them, laboring humanity would perish.

Music reminds us that our lives are not simply about making noise, but about finding harmony in different voices, different experiences, and different perspectives.

Loving God, we thank you for this city and for these leaders who have accepted the responsibility of serving it.

Help them remember those whose voices are quiet, whose burdens are heavy, and whose hopes depend upon faithful leadership.

May this chamber be a place where differences become dialogue and service rises above self-interest.

Thank you for these leaders who are guided by love for this city.

May Music City continue to be more than the music it makes.

May it be the kindness we extend, the dignity we protect, and the hope we leave for the next generation.

We ask these things with gratitude and humility.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty.

Liberty and justice for all.

All right.

Welcome council and community members to what could be our longest meeting of this council term.

We appreciate so many of you coming out for the public hearings this evening.

As of the start of this meeting, uh we have issued 182 speaker tickets for BL 1391 and 24 for the moratorium.

Civic education and increasing access and participation in local government has been a hallmark of this council term, and our nation's 250th birthday has hopefully given us all opportunities to contemplate the great promise of our democracy and the knowledge that a democracy of the people by the people and for the people requires all the people's participation.

Council members will have a large group of opportunity now summer youth interns from a wide variety of metro departments with us in the chamber for our Metro Council 101 session on the morning of Monday, July 13th.

It is always my hope that we can show the young people that visit with us the diversity of their representation in Nashville.

So if you would like to join me, please let the council office know by noon this Thursday.

Participating in democracy also means voting as elected officials.

We do our best to make sure Nashvilleans have the information they need to exercise their vote in every election.

We thank our Davidson County Election Commission and volunteers who do the same.

Early voting will be underway before this council meets again.

Starting July 17th and continuing through August 1st, there are 15 locations across the county where you can vote early in state and federal partisan primaries and county general election.

Midnight tonight is the deadline to register to vote.

Um Ms.

mentioned that earlier in announcements in those elections.

You can go to GoVote Tn.gov or the Davidson County Election Commission website via national.gov for more information.

With only about six percent of active voters having participated in local primary elections in May, it is very important that we encourage all of Davidson County's 471,000 eligible voters to exercise their right to vote in upcoming elections.

Democracy depends on all Americans reading, learning, engaging, and participating.

All right.

Without objection, we will spend the calling of the roll and ask the clerk to please record the names of the members present throughout the meeting.

The roll call is also the time when I share that we have a council member celebrating their birthday with us this evening.

Uh Pro Tim already announced it, but again, uh happy birthday to Councilmember Sepulveda.

Is there a motion for approval of the minutes of the meeting of June 16th, 2026?

All right.

Okay, there's a motion and is properly seconded.

I do understand that we have one member seeking to clarify the minutes.

So, Mr.

Capp, um, you are recognized, sir.

Go ahead.

Thank you for recognizing me, Vice Mayor.

I briefly need to move to amend the minutes from the last meeting uh to reflect my intention to abstain from BL 2026 1445, 1446, and 1447.

Okay, so noted, um, Mr.

Clerk.

Um, without objection, uh members uh the motion to approve the minutes um uh can be amended with that change.

Is there any objection?

All right.

Uh now seeing no one else seeking to be recognized for any change to the minutes, and the motion having been amended with Mr.

Capp's uh change.

Uh the minutes of the meeting of June 16th are approved as amended.

All right, Mr.

Clerk, are there any messages from the mayor?

Yes, there's a message from the mayor.

All right, Mr.

Clerk, go ahead, please.

Dear Vice Mayor Henderson and members of members of the council.

Tonight's agenda includes several items that speak directly to how Nashville grows and how we protect our neighborhood's, institutions, and quality of life.

For months we've heard from neighbors, families, and zoo supporters from every corner of this county about the proposed data center adjacent to the Nashville Zoo.

I share their concerns about the proposed use of that site, but the question before us is bigger than one parcel.

Right now, our zoning code doesn't distinguish between a server room and a hundred megawatt campus.

That's a gap we must close.

I urge passage of both the zoning bill and the moratorium legislation before you tonight as substituted.

Councilmember Horton's ordinance, Bill 2026 1391 would give Nashville its first data center-specific zoning standards.

I support this framework and appreciate the planning commission's thorough work to strengthen it.

The legislation may not arrive in time to apply, uh, may not arrive in time to apply to the property next to the zoo, but it sets the important blueprint for how we regulate data centers in our city moving forward.

Departments working under Executive Order 59 will identify further impacts and determine how best to guard against them to further safeguard our communities.

Paired with Councilmember Johnston's ordinance bill 2026 1448, which would pause new data center approvals.

We have a responsible path.

Press pause and put thoughtful rules in place.

Separately, you have before you before you tonight a late filed bill for my administration.

I filed condemnation legislation to allow Metro to acquire the property adjacent to the zoo for public use.

We've been looking for space in this area for of the city for some time and have multiple needs that this site would address.

I hope you will support that legislation, which might give us the only option available to address immediate needs in this area.

I understand earlier this evening, DC blocks issued a statement that is full of inaccurate wishful thinking, divorced from reality and indicative of a company trying to repair a PR problem they cause for themselves.

The timing would suggest an attempt to disrupt tonight's council's votes on data center legislation.

To be clear, I called a meeting because there are three parties interested in the property, and Metro intends to acquire the land.

We will proceed in Metro's interest.

Thank you to this council for the seriousness you bring to these questions and to the many Nashvilleans who will spend their Tuesday evening participating in your government.

That represents local government at its best, and I appreciate it every time a Nashville and works to make their city a better place.

I appreciate the chance to join you on that journey.

Best Mayor Freddie O'Connell.

All right, uh, thank you, Mr.

Mayor, and thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

All right, um, next we'll proceed right into our agenda.

Uh section E, appointees and nominees.

This portion of the agenda shares all persons who are scheduled to appear before the rules, confirmations, and public elections committee for an interview this evening.

Referrals back to uh the committee will be by rule as part of the council's two meeting process for elections and confirmations.

No votes will be taken by the body in this section of the agenda.

Um, Chair Cash, your brief report, please.

Uh no vote totals necessary, simply the name of those uh interviewed, and for which seats uh and if a person in the appointment and confirmation process wasn't able to attend your committee this evening.

At what meeting they will next appear, please, sir.

Um go ahead, Chair Cash, you're recognized.

All right, for community corrections advisory, um Jamal Boykin for contract and compliance board.

We deferred Marcus T.

Booth for one meeting for the contract and compliance board.

Uh Michael um Ida Vedia.

Uh you sent me that too, I'm sorry.

Uh for contract and compliance board.

Um Matthew Neal for Director of Law, Tyler Yarbrough or Electric Power Board, um Robert Boone for Employee Benefit Board Thomas Curtis for Farmers Market Board Jackson Sitlin for Historical Commission.

I've got five.

Um Dr.

Clay Bailey, Jay Brothers, Caitlin Jones, uh Dr.

Marissa Richmond and Linda Wynn, for Short Term Rental Appeals Board, Kevin Griffith was withdrawn for Transit Authority, Whitney Weeks.

All right.

Um, so I appreciate you sharing all persons that were interviewed.

And we will note.

Okay, that Marcus Booth is deferred one meeting and Kevin Griffith is withdrawn.

Pro Tim, you're recognized for a point of order.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Tyler Yarbrough should be for the Director of Wild, not for the Electric Power Board.

I think it was just Ms.

I appreciate you correcting uh the record if that was uh misread.

Yes.

Um Ms.

Tyler Yarrow had her interview in committee uh to serve as the Metropolitan Director of uh Law.

Um okay.

Um with that um Chair Cash, you are now recognized uh for your committee report on the appointees in the second step of your committee's two meeting process with vote totals this time and a consolidated motion for the confirmation of those persons or first for a deferral motion if there are any.

Go ahead, sir.

All right, for bicycle and pedestrian advisory commission, the reappointment of Alvin Jay Haney, we approve six to zero zero for the Central Business Improvement District Board, appointment of Christopher Carlson for a term expiring June 15th, 2029.

We voted to approve four in favor, one against and one not voting.

And then for the tourism and convention commission, the appointment of Darius McDonald for a term expiring June 30th, 2029.

Approved six in favor, zero against zero not voting.

Um and I uh move uh the nominees.

Okay, so there is a motion to confirm these three appointees uh in a consolidated motion properly seconded.

That said, does anyone wish to remove an item from this consolidated motion for purposes of an individual abstention or a no vote?

Um uh Ms.

Volvida, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Can we remove those CBID nominees?

Yes.

Um any other seeking to be recognized in that regard.

Okay, so the amended motion at this juncture is uh for the approval of the or rather the confirmation of uh Alvin J.

Haney um and Darius uh McDonnell uh in a consolidated motion.

Um all said, move approval.

Okay, all right.

Um uh in favor, please say aye.

Uh any voting no or abstaining.

Okay, um, and if you'll hang with us so we can recognize everyone who is here, um, appreciate you all um that have just been confirmed.

Uh, next in our agenda order is item F2 regarding the Central Business Improvement District uh board, uh, the C bid board.

It is the appointment of Christopher uh Carlson for a term expiring uh June 15th, 2029.

Uh Mr.

Cash Chair, can you make a motion um for that uh approval of confirmation?

I move the uh approval of Christopher Carlson for the CBID.

Okay, all right.

Um and with that we will uh move to the vote.

Um all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no?

Okay, Mr.

Clerk, is that sufficient to record with raised hands?

Okay.

Um any abstaining.

Okay.

Um council has uh confirmed also uh Christopher Carlson.

So um it appears that we have some of our confirmed appointees uh with us this evening.

If you chose to return uh to the council chamber, which is not required, do please stand and be recognized as I call your name.

Council has confirmed the appointments of uh uh Alvin J.

Haney.

He was reappointed to the bicycle and pedestrian uh advisory commission.

Um council has uh confirmed the appointment of uh Christopher Carlson to the CBID board and uh last but certainly not least council has confirmed uh the appointment of Darius McDonald to the tourism and uh convention commission.

Thank you uh to everyone for your willingness to serve.

We appreciate you.

Thank you.

All right, we are now in Section G, um, nominations of our um for our agenda.

Council members will have received a memo from me on June 15th announcing two vacancies on the municipal auditorium commission.

Um, those uh vacancies will be with terms uh expiring on June 30th, 2029.

Um an election will be conducted at the August 4th meeting, um, so that your nominees uh can go through our uh um two-step uh process.

Um that um those openings or those vacancies were uh also announced from uh this dais at last meeting, and so I will now open uh nominations.

Um, if you uh seek to nominate someone, you can get into the queue or raise your hands.

Council members, we've been busy.

But also you got a memo.

And I mentioned it at the last meeting.

Anyone can we defer.

Uh, yeah, I mean, if there are no nominations made, it will we will just defer it to the next agenda.

We don't, I believe uh special counsel need to engage in any procedure.

We'll just uh okay, all right.

So um I will close the nominations as there were none, and then I would point you all please to my memo of June 15th and ask um and and again put it out to the community.

There are two vacancies on our municipal auditorium commission.

If you have an interest in serving, please do contact your council members so that they may nominate you.

Council members, um, you know, please give that board and commission a look and see who is currently uh serving and otherwise, and we will take up these nominations again at our next meeting.

Okay, all right.

Um next we are in section H of our agenda.

Um that is the public comment period.

Members of the public who are Tennessee residents wishing to speak may sign up at a table uh for public comment outside the council chamber from 5 to 6 p.m.

on the day of the council meeting.

Public comment is limited to 20 minutes total at council meetings, and each speaker is allowed up to two minutes to speak.

Uh person speaking on agenda items must be prioritized to comply with state law.

Uh all right.

Um with that, um uh the uh first, second, and third um persons uh for public comment.

So I would ask that they all just go ahead and come on forward.

Uh, Trina Hewell, Manon Hall, and John Hamilton.

Uh Trina Huell is speaking regarding public hearings processes and procedures.

Um, go ahead, Miss Yule, you're recognized.

Hi, my name is Trina Hewell.

I live in District 6.

Tonight I saw a neighbor with a cane waiting in a line that goes up a flight of stairs to the second floor just to receive a ticket.

Once people receive a ticket, they're ushered, not once they receive a ticket, they're ushered into what appears to be some kind of cattle herding situation, and there's very little seating and uh what I've heard expressed out there is the one thing that we can guarantee is that this city does not want us to have a place to sit.

But um, people standing in that line.

Right.

The last I saw the line is down the stairs to get a ticket, which we have one staff member sorting which of the two hearings you want to speak on.

And I filmed, and it's taken about 90 seconds to two minutes just to get one person a ticket.

So I do appreciate that a lot of work went into planning tonight, and I do think that this is an improvement.

But on June 2nd, constituents were asked to show grace while standing in a line that broke down immediately on June 11th at the planning commission.

People waited outside in 90 degree heat and were told the fire marshal was the reason they couldn't come in.

I contacted the Nashville Fire Department.

Deputy Fire Marshal Michael Figlio III responded in writing.

To my knowledge, there was no enforcement needed from our office regarding the occupant load within the space, as the space was not over the maximum occupant load, let alone near it.

Tonight's ticketed system is an improvement, but a neighbor with a cane is navigating a staircase inside this building right now just to get in line to speak with nowhere to sit while they wait.

The people of Nashville who show up to participate in their government deserve better than this.

We have deserved better for a long time.

Thank you.

I appreciate your feedback.

Um rather than the stairs.

It is not required to use the stairs.

I appreciate you sharing that with me.

Just want to speak that for people's assistance.

This is RS 2026-2097 speaking in opposition.

This is an MOU regarding law enforcement within the public transit system.

Go ahead, Mr.

Hall.

Hey, my name is Manon Hall.

I'm speaking as an individual who relies on the bus every single day.

And I'm asking you to defer vote down this MOU between the Metro Transit Authority, MnPD, and RTA.

First, I must ask why has hasn't MTA and TIME fully fun fully launched the journey's past the journey pass program with income verification.

First it was going to be launched last spring, then fall 2025, then spring 2026, and now they're saying by the end of the year 2026.

Why do they keep pushing timelines with no explanation?

The transportation improvement program, the tip the tip that CHIME funded, approved by the voters only allocated five million dollars for security improvements over the 15-year program.

It's in the document.

Yeah, MTA has already drawn down more than five million dollars for a currently non-existent transit police division.

When the transit ambassador program is being slowly slow rolled, we are encouraging and acting on getting the people that need to ride the bus, the ability to ride the bus more frequently with the journey pass program.

When Metro interacts, when MNPD and the security at MTAA on the bus, their strategy is just to ban someone for a day, for a week, for a month.

That's what the policing and the security do at at Weigo.

Prioritizing more police at MNP at Weego Central and at the bus stops is not going to increase the safety because those people will come back after their their day, after their week, after their month.

It's by bringing the transit ambassador program to the front, making that the priority, putting that in place now.

By having ambassadors who can connect our bus riders with the resources they need, like we have resources.

You'll talk about it all the time, rather than just banning them from the system over and over again, we can actually make our bus system safer.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Hall.

Next is John Hamilton also speaking on agenda item 73, RS 2026-2097 in opposition.

Go ahead, Mr.

Hamilton, you're recognized.

Yes, and and Hamilton is my middle name.

Oh, I apologize, sir.

What's your last name?

Bull B U L L B U L L.

Thank you, sir.

Mr.

Bull, you're recognized.

Um the current system is effective.

I'm a frequent rider of the bus.

For example, yesterday, counting transfers.

I rode the bus for for nine routes.

Um, and I've been riding the mass transit system for a half decade since we go implemented.

What security arrangements they've done, it's been very effective.

Um it's uh if it works, you don't fix it.

Uh my opinion.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bull.

All right.

Uh that concludes our public comment period.

All right.

Now we are moving into the public hearing uh portion of our uh evening and our agenda.

Um these are sections I and J.

Um, a resolution, single resolution, and uh then multiple bills on public hearing.

Spanish interpretation services are provided for all Metro Council public hearings.

Um Ms.

Sandra Obando is here as the interpreter this evening.

Um, Ms.

Obando, will you please share how you can help, please, ma'am?

Gracias.

We appreciate you.

All right.

Um, for those wishing to speak on uh public hearing items this evening, uh please do state your name, but it is not required for you to provide your exact address if you do not wish to do so.

You may want to tell us in what neighborhood or area you live, your connection to an agenda item or project, or who your council member is.

Okay.

All right.

Um first in section I, um, we have a resolution on public hearing.

This is agenda item one, RS 2026-2070 sponsor Taylor.

This is a resolution exempting Vibes Bar and Lounge located at 114 28th Avenue North from the minimum distance requirements for obtaining a beer permit pursuant to um section 708 090 of our metropolitan code.

Uh Mr.

Taylor, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd move to open the public hearing, please.

Okay.

Um, committee reports.

Well, we can do um committee report uh first.

Uh we've we've done it either way, but for the report of the government operations and regulations committee, uh uh Chair Hill, you're recognized, ma'am.

This was 20 uh 2070, right?

Yes, ma'am.

Um, uh we recommend six in favor, zero against zero not voting.

Okay.

Um all righty then.

Um and now I heard you uh request to open the public hearing.

Absolutely.

Um so I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Taylor's uh resolution two zero seven zero.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this resolution, please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Uh would all members of the public uh here in opposition to this uh resolution, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here in opposition, do the persons here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

Okay, thank you.

Appreciate that.

Uh seeing uh uh no one uh here to speak, uh whether in uh support or opposition.

Um I will declare the public hearing closed, uh, Mr.

Taylor, and it is back to you um for a motion on this bill, um given that you have uh or rather resolution um with your committee report in.

Thank you.

Um I like to move for approval with a brief comment.

Go ahead, sir.

Thank you.

So um I'll make it brief.

Thank you.

So um it just give some a timeline with this.

Uh the uh vibes uh owner approached me, I believe late 2024, December, November.

Um, and the time's up.

And so uh and in that moment um there was some pushback from neighbors uh in regards to uh this project.

They had some apprehensions and um asked the property owner to come or the business owner to come and have a conversation.

Um and over time, uh that business owner made a vow to uh be a good neighbor.

And so since that time that they've come to that community meeting opened and move forward, um they vowed to be a good neighbor.

We just recently had a community meeting.

This topic was on the table.

Um they've been such a good community member that the community was mad at me for not giving them their peer permit already.

And so um moving forward, uh I'd just like to thank the the property owner of the community members uh for working through this process with me and I renew my motion to approve.

All right, um uh there's a motion to approve, properly second.

And is there any discussion on this resolution?

Um council member Allen, you're recognized.

Uh thank you, madam chair.

If I might uh just make a couple of comments.

I had a good conversation with Councilmember Taylor, uh, some concerns from some of my constituents uh who live on the other side of West End, just about past behavior, which he has has addressed.

And so my cause my question would be um he's been motivated to have good behavior to get this beer permit, and I am fully confident that he will continue in that uh in that vein, which is good.

Uh is there someone who could answer the question of um if that motivation to get the beer permit is no longer there, and there was a regression to former past behavior that had been troubling neighbors.

Is there a process for revocation of beer permits that would just provide some comfort in terms of number of calls to police, for example, or something like that?

So the question is um potentially to special counsel.

Is there a specific procedure relative to revocation uh related to the number of um uh that has been a past measure of certified um or uh calls to police is something measurable, okay that number had been very high many years ago.

It has not been high for a number of years, and I'd uh very much appreciate the change particular to this property, right?

Or to this property, is there is there a process for revoking permits that could provide neighbors just a little bit of assurance that that we're good.

Special counsel, is there anything codified to that effect, sir?

Yes, Vice Mayor, there is uh within the Urban Services District.

Uh there is uh the beer permitted board has the power within its discretion, uh, and in addition to other penalties to suspend for a period of time or revoke permanently any um beer permit for violation of the metro code upon giving uh the uh permanent or holder written notice and um, yeah, written notice within the rules and regulations of the beer permit board.

I think I appreciate that assurance.

I uh I support this and and will let my constituents know that we're covered.

All right.

Appreciate the work that Councilmember Taylor did.

Okay.

Um is there any uh further discussion on this resolution?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, uh this resolution uh has been adopted.

Next, um section Jills on public hearing.

Agenda item two, uh ordinance BL 2026-1314, sponsors Horton and Evan Siegel.

This is an ordinance amending certain sections and subsections of chapters 2.104, 6.26, 13.32, 17.20, 17.24, 0.28, 0.36 of the Metro Code of Laws to correct typographical errors, incorrect references, redundancies, and other minor errors.

Uh councilmember Horton, your recognize, sir.

Uh is there anybody um this is predominantly planning and zoning?

I don't know if Vice Chair Harrell, um, of planning and zoning, would you be willing to sign on to this bill, sir, for purposes of um keeping this moving?

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr.

Hill.

Uh yes.

Okay, um, Mr.

Clerk, so noted.

Um and uh given that uh Mr.

Harrell, do you um seek to open the public hearing?

The staff know that that is Mr.

Horton's intent at this time.

Okay, open a public hearing.

All right, um, okay, I declare uh the public hearing open uh for council members uh Horton, Evan Siegel, and Hurrell's uh ordinance 1314.

Uh would all members of the public hear in support of this bill please raise your hand okay.

Uh would all members of the public here in opposition uh to this bill, please raise your hand.

Mr.

Harrell, seeing uh no one present um on either side uh seeking to be recognized, I will uh declare the public hearing closed.

And um uh Mr.

Horton, uh Mr.

Harrell, your vice chair has taken up um that bill.

Are you okay with him?

Uh do we want to put it back over to you?

As I know you do have a substitute and so forth.

So um the public hearing is now closed.

Um and uh with that, I can now recognize you, uh Mr.

Horton, um uh for a motion to get this bill before us.

Thank you, Vice Mayer.

Uh apologies for that.

I'd like to move for approval, please.

Um, okay.

Um uh so there's a motion to approve, properly seconded.

We're on to discussion.

Um, do you seek to um make a motion to substitute?

I'd like to move the substitute, please.

Okay.

Um uh anything you want to share about the substitute.

As the caption shares, this is a housekeeping uh bill and so is the substitute.

Okay, all right, and move for approval.

All right, is there any discussion on the motion to substitute?

Seeing none, all in favor of the substitute, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, and uh Mr.

Horton, if you'd renew your motion to approve is substituted.

So move for approval as substituted.

All right.

Any discussion on that?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, this has passed its second of three readings as substituted.

Next is agenda item three, ordinance BL2026-1360.

Uh sponsors Styles and Evan Siegel.

If someone could please go get Miss Style, uh there she is, yes, ma'am.

An ordinance amending chapter 17.28 of the Metro Code of Laws to amend regulations on underground utilities.

Miss Styles, you're recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Uh committee reports is on that on this one.

Not at this juncture, ma'am.

No, that's on third.

Yeah, move to open the public hearing.

Okay.

Um, I declare the public hearing open.

Uh, for council member Styles and Evan Siegel's ordinance 1360.

Uh would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public hearing in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

All right.

Um seeing no one here um on uh either side, I declare the public.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

Where are we behind the column here?

Okay, I'm terribly sorry.

I have a line of sight issue here.

Um, so uh is there one person in support and one person in opposition?

Is that correct?

Okay, um uh if um let's see.

So um will those uh persons wishing to speak in support um please come forward to the podium if you uh seek to be recognized on this bill.

Um uh supporting speakers uh go first.

Um does the person here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

Okay, I I literally cannot see behind the column.

Okay, um uh does the person here in opposition um seek to be recognized and speak?

All right.

Um okay, so with no one seeking to be recognized.

Um uh to speak, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on your bill.

Uh Ms.

Styles.

Thank you very much, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move for approval, please.

All right.

Um there's a motion to uh approve on second reading.

Is there a second?

It's properly seconded.

Um we're on to discussion.

Um do you seek uh to move your substitute at this juncture?

Yes.

I would like to move the substitute, please.

Okay.

And I'm there you are.

Um there's a motion to substitute.

Uh okay.

Um is there anything you'd like to share about the substitute?

Um, no, okay.

Okay.

How housekeeping, perhaps?

A little bit, yes.

From directly from planning, not from me.

Yeah, the planning department table.

Um, this was a substitute provided by the planning department.

They are concurring that it is a of a housekeeping nature.

Okay.

Um any further discussion on the motion to substitute.

Seeing none, all in favor of the substitute, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Um, Ms.

Styles, if you would renew your motion to approve on second as substituted.

I'd like to move for approval as substitute, please.

Okay.

Um uh is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

This has passed its second of three readings as substituted.

All right, next is agenda item four, ordinance BL 2026-1361.

Sponsors Benedict Cap Koopin and Evan Siegel.

This is an ordinance to amend chapter 17.37 of the Metro Code of Laws to establish an East Bank design review committee within the downtown code, um, also known as the DTC.

Uh Councilmember Benedict, uh, you are recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

I declare the public hearing open for uh Councilmember Benedict's uh Bill 1361 regarding the East Bank Design Review Committee.

Would all members of the public here in support of this bill please raise your hand?

Okay, and if you happen to be behind a column, lean out and kind of give me a wave.

Okay.

So I do hear see some people here in support.

Um would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay.

Seeing no one here in opposition, do the persons here in support seek to be recognized or speak.

I am seeing some heads being shook.

No, and so um with that, I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you for a motion on this bill, Miss Benedict.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I move approval.

All right, is there a second?

Okay.

Um we're on uh to discussion, and you still have the floor, ma'am.

Thank you.

Move the second substitute, please.

Okay.

Um there is a motion to substitute with the second substitute.

Is there a second?

Okay, is there any discussion on the substitute?

Anything you want to share about it, ma'am.

No, we made improvements to the planning department and with um other sponsors of the bill.

So uh it's a better bill.

Okay.

Um, any uh any further discussion on the motion to substitute?

Seeing none, all in favor of the substitute, please say aye.

All right, and Ms.

Benedict, do you want to renew your motion uh to approve as substituted?

Yes, that please.

Yes, that's good.

So you can just say so moved when I reiterated there.

That's a good deal.

Um, okay, is there any discussion on that?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, this has passed its second of three readings as substituted.

Next um is agenda item five.

This is ordinance BL 2026-1386 sponsor styles.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro government by amending a portion of Ridge View UDO, urban design overlay for property located at Eagle View Boulevard, unnumbered, and the northeast corner of Eagle View Boulevard and Baby Ruth Lane, zoned M U L and RM9.

This is 14.21 acres to permit assisted care living and open space.

Uh, council member styles, you're recognized, ma'am.

Uh yes.

I actually need to defer this.

Okay.

Would you?

I'm just trying to figure out how many meetings.

Okay.

If you defer it, you have to defer it to the next public hearing because the public hearing is required.

Um, you could do that uh at the meeting of August 4th or the meeting of September 1st or the meeting of October 6th.

Those are the next three public hearings for zoning items.

I'm going to defer this until the first meeting in September.

All right.

Um there is a motion uh to defer uh this uh ordinance on second reading and it's uh public hearing uh to the first meeting in September.

Is there a second?

Properly moved and seconded.

Is there any discussion on that motion?

Okay.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, this is deferred to the first meeting in September.

Thank you.

Next is agenda item six, ordinance BL 2026-1387, sponsored Kimbrough.

This is an ordinance to mend title seventeen, the Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS 10 to R 10 zoning for property located at 1616 Ashton Avenue, approximately 540 feet west of Hydes Ferry Road.

This is 0.37 acres.

Councilmember Kimbrough, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor, which please open the public hearing.

Okay, I declare the public hearing open for council member uh Kimbrough's uh ordinance one three eight seven.

Would all members of the public uh here in support of this bill please raise your hand?

Okay, would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill.

Please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed.

And it's back to you, Ms.

Kimbrough, for a motion on your bill.

Thank you.

Move for approval.

Is there a second?

Okay.

There's a motion to approve, properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on this bill on second reading?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item seven, ordinance BL 2026-1388 sponsor styles.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RM20 NS to AR2A zoning for properties located at uh 5118 Mount View Road and Mount View Road unnumbered, approximately 360 feet west of Highlander Drive.

This is 9.4 acres.

Council Member Styles, you are recognized.

Thank you very much.

Withdraw.

All right.

Um this bill has been withdrawn.

Ms.

Styles Bill 1388 will be withdrawn.

Okay.

Uh next is agenda item eight.

This is ordinance BL 2026-1389.

Also sponsor styles.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from SP to AR2A zoning for properties located at 532 and 538 Bell Road, approximately 570 feet southwest of Murphora Pike and located in the Murphy's Borough Pike Urban Design Overlay District and Corridor Corridor Design Overlay District.

This is 5.25 acres.

Miss Styles, you're recognized.

Thank you very much.

I'd like to call for the public hearing.

Okay.

All right.

Um do we have a notice issue on this one?

Okay.

Um all righty.

I had a note that um you might be intending to defer just double checking.

Uh no, this one is the one that stays the other ones are good.

Got it.

I appreciate the clarification.

All right, so I declare the public hearing open for council member styles' bill one three eight nine.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Okay.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed.

And it's back to you for a motion on your bill, Miss Stiles.

I could not read your lips fully.

Are you uh talking to the seeking the plans?

Would you like to recognize the planning table?

Okay.

Um uh planning, uh, Ms.

Milligan, you're recognized.

Uh yes, thank you.

The planning uh commission has not yet made a recommendation on this zoning bill with an understanding.

We had an understanding that it was to be deferred, okay.

Special Council Wilson, what would you advise?

Or would you like me to Ms.

Milligan?

Do you want to offer advice to Ms.

Styles as far as the order of operations at this juncture?

Yes.

Um this is we are scheduled to hear this in at the July planning commission meeting, which is at the end of July because we only have one meeting.

So if you wanted to move forward with second reading tonight, you could defer third reading beyond that date, which would allow planning to have a recommendation to you all in advance of third reading.

Um just to restate that that would be um motion to approve on second with third reading.

To be deferred.

Um at which meeting.

First meeting in August.

Okay.

Um is there a point of order?

August um August 4th.

Thank you.

Sorry.

Um, I heard an OR in your little tonal sound there, okay.

So um uh that's a proper motion.

Is there a second for that motion?

All right.

Um is there any discussion on that motion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Um uh any voting no or abstaining.

All right.

So this has passed its second reading and had its public hearing here.

It will next, go to the planning commission for any member of the community that is listening, and that will be at the July the next the 23rd at the planning commission.

Um, at which juncture it will be back before this body on its uh third and final reading and in committee at that time uh at the meeting of August 4th.

Okay.

All right, um, next is agenda item nine, ordinance BL 2026-1395 sponsor Welsh.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS 7.5 to R8A zoning for property located at 470 Radner Street, approximately 270 feet northeast of Mead Avenue.

This is 0.2 acres.

Council Member Welsh, you're recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to defer for lack of notice.

All right.

Um and uh defer to the next uh public.

To the first meeting of August.

Okay.

Um is there a second for that motion?

Okay, is there any discussion on that motion?

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Um this will be back on public hearing at the first meeting in August.

Okay.

Um next um we have two bills.

Um they are companions to each other.

Um councilmember Parker, for purposes of the public hearing, um, they can be taken together.

I will go ahead and read um both the captions into uh the record.

Agenda item 10 is ordinance BL 2026-1396, sponsor Parker.

This is an ordinance to end title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by amending a specific plan and changing from RS5 to SP zoning for properties located at 832 834, 836, 838 Seymour Avenue, 905, 907, West Eastland Avenue, 930 930 C McFerron Avenue, and wait for it.

609 611 613, 615, 625, 627, 629, 631, 633, 635, 637, 639, 641, 643, and 645 Richmond Bend, approximately 47 feet west of McFarn Avenue, and located within the Greenwood Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District in the attached accessory dwelling unit Dadu Overlay District.

This is 3.24 acres to prevent eight additional units and 3,250 square feet of non-residential units or rather uses.

And again, it's companion bill, which is agenda item 11.

That's ordinance BL 2026-1397, which requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings at all those addresses in uh 1396, which I will mercifully not repeat.

Okay.

With that, um Mr.

Parker, you are recognized, sir.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

Alright, um, I declare the public hearing open for council member Parker's uh bills 1396, 1396, and 1397, which are companions to each other.

Would all members of the public here in support of these bills please raise your hands?

Okay.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to these bills please raise your hands?

Seeing no one here in opposition to the persons here in support seek to be recognized or speak.

They are both shaking their heads no, Mr.

Parker.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed.

And now as I come back to you, given that you have substitutes, we will have to take these up individually for purposes of um substitution and and passage.

So go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I would like to move the substitute on BL 2026 1396.

Okay.

If we can, if you could please just move approval on 1396 to get it before us.

Um uh and then um, approval of uh bill 2026 1396.

Is there a second?

Okay, and I heard you already make the motion uh to substitute.

Is there a second for that?

Okay, all right.

Um anything you want to say about the substitute, sir.

All right.

Um there is a motion to substitute 1396.

Um is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

If you could renew your motion to approve is substituted, um, approve 1396 as substituted.

Okay, any discussion on that?

Seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, so that has passed, um, it's second of three readings as substituted.

Next, we're on uh to agenda item 11.

Um go ahead, sir.

I'd like to move bill 2026 1397.

All right, um, go ahead back to you for the substitute.

I would like to move the substitute.

Okay, is there uh any discussion on the substitute?

Seeing none, all in favor of the motion to substitute, please say aye.

Aye.

Um okay.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, and if you could renew your motion.

Move is substituted.

All right, so it is um uh I'm gonna presume that your motion was to approve on second reading as substituted.

Um any discussion on that.

All right, seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Um, 1396 and 1397 have passed their second of three readings as substituted.

Yes, sir.

All right, um next.

Um, we are on to agenda items 12 and 13.

Again, they are companions to each other.

Um, uh the uh both sponsor Taylor.

The first is uh ordinance BL 2026-1398.

Um this is an ordinance to amend title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from R6 to SP zoning for property located at 1038, 28th Avenue North.

This is approximately 138 feet north of Maharry Boulevard.

It is 0.10 acres.

Uh its companion is 1399 and it requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings uh mentioned in uh ordinance 1398.

Uh Mr.

Taylor, for purposes of the public hearing, we can take these items up together.

Go ahead, sir.

Absolutely, thank you.

I'd like to open the public hearing for BL 2026, 1398, and 1399.

Okay, I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Taylor's companion bills 1398 and 1399.

Would all members of the public hear in support of these pills, please raise your hand.

Okay, would all members of the public hear in opposition to these bills?

Please raise your hands.

Okay.

Just waiting just for a little bit.

I've been advised that just wanted to get people a little bit more time in case um they are out on the mezzanine.

Again, we have seating for anyone that has a public hearing item coming in front of these data centers.

So you can come on inside if you're listening up on the second or third floor.

Okay, um, so with that, um, having held a little bit of time there, I will declare the public hearing closed.

Um, and with that, it is back to you uh for a motion on your bills, Mr.

Taylor, because you don't have any substitutes or amendments, you can move both of these in a consolidated motion.

Absolutely move for approval.

All right, is there any discussion on the motion to approve 1398 and 1399 on second reading?

Seeing none, all in favor please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, these have passed their second of three readings.

Um next are agenda items 14 and 15.

Um sponsors Lee and Hill.

Again, these are companions to each other.

Um agenda item 14 is ordinance BL 2026 1400.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government of National and Davidson County by changing from AR2A to SP zoning for property located at 5683 Cane Ridge Road, approximately 479 feet south of Spring Path Lane.

This is 6.64 acres to permit 68 multifamily residential units, and again it's companion agenda item 15, which is ordinance one to four zero one, which requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of the buildings um mentioned in uh ordinance uh 1400.

Uh go ahead, Ms.

Hill.

You are recognized.

I think the man vice mayor I'd like to move for a two-meeting deferral to the first meeting in August.

It'll be August the fourth.

Okay, all right.

So we will move these uh to the August public hearing on August 4th.

Um uh that is the motion.

Um, it is, is there a second?

I already hear that.

Um uh is there any discussion on that deferral motion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, those are both uh deferred to August 4th.

Um next is agenda item 16, ordinance BL 2026 1402, sponsor Welsh.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of Metro Government by changing from RS 7.5 to R8A zoning for property located at 412 Veritas Street, located approximately 380 feet west of Nellensville Pike.

This is 0.26 acres.

Ms.

Welsh, you are recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I would like to defer to the first meeting in August due to lack of notice.

Okay.

Um there is a motion to defer to the first meeting in August.

That's August 4th.

It's properly seconded.

Um is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

This will next be taken up on August the 4th.

Next are agendas items 17 and 18.

They are companions to each other.

Uh sponsor Parker.

Uh the first is ordinance BL 2026-1403.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government.

By amending a specific plan for various properties generally located west of Gallatin Avenue, east of Emmett Avenue, south of McClerkin Avenue, and north of Douglas Avenue, zoned SP, and changing the zoning on properties from RS5 CS and OR20 to SP.

This is 19.09 acres to permit a mixed-use development.

And again, it's companion agenda item 18, which is ordinance BL2026-1404, which requires certain materials to be constrict uh restricted in the construction of buildings uh that are um within ordinance uh 1403.

Uh Councilmember Parker, you recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right, uh declare the public hearing open for council member Parker's um uh bills uh one four zero three and one for zero four.

Um uh would all members of the public here in support of these bills, please raise your hand.

Thank you all.

Um would all members here of the public hear in opposition to these bills please raise your hand.

Okay, there are uh several here um in opposition.

Um so uh persons in support do speak first.

And so uh if those persons uh wishing to speak in support would please come forward to the podium.

Uh supporting speakers will go first, and persons in opposition wishing to speak um will go after those speaking in support.

Do the persons here in support seek to be recognized?

Okay.

Um uh go ahead, sir.

You're recognized, yeah.

Uh Michael Wingowler's Southern Land.

We're the owner and developer of the property, and just here to uh say thank you to Councilman Parker.

We've been working on this project for several years.

It's a modification to an existing SP.

Um here to answer any questions, but we're appreciate the time and effort to review this.

All right, thank you, Mr.

McNally.

Um all right.

Um does anyone else seek to be recognized to speak in support.

Okay.

Um seeing none, um uh do the persons here who raise their hands in opposition um uh seek to be recognized or speak.

Um if so, please go ahead and come on forward.

Hey, I'm in 912 Strauss, live in the neighborhood.

I'm really excited about this development.

You know, it's already an approved SP.

Um my concerns is like the the homes that are now detached in this, uh along MAF.

Uh I was really excited for um there to be, you know, single-family homes attached, no side yards.

I mean, because I meant there was gonna be more green space at both like the corners and there's gonna be you know space for the community to use.

Um the community really likes right now the um green space that's accessible um while you know um they're waiting for this SP to be developed right on the hill there.

And so um obviously the neighborhood and the future residents would be great for those who live in the apartment complexes to have more access to green space.

What this um amendment does is it removes it moves some of the single family homes that were um attached and makes them detach and adds like you know, five foot or you know, along those lines side yards, which over a whole block, you know, gets rid of all the green space that was like basically a little pocket park, and now I don't know if you all been in neighborhoods where people have like five foot side yards.

It's not really usable space, it's kind of dead space.

Um, and so by that nature, it also is making the homes more expensive.

A detached home is more expensive in the market than you know, uh a home that is attached.

And so obviously, would love to see homes that are attached and slightly more affordable and which ultimately benefits the community.

So I think um if it were possible for them to come back to the table and find a way to include green space and make sure the homes are attached, um, would love to see that.

Thank you.

Right, thank you, Mr.

Hall.

Um go ahead, come on forward.

Okay, folks, we do not clap after folks speaking.

Um go ahead, sir.

Hi, my name is Lyd Shaw.

I live at 2407 Brasher Avenue, and um I just want to read a statement here.

Thank you, Council members.

I'm speaking on behalf of the uh Southern Land Lincoln Tech SP amendment, um, sponsored by Councilmember Parker.

Um the Planning Commission approved this on April 9th by a vote of eight to zero with conditions, including meaningful neighborhood green space.

Um, and I have a statement prepared by my neighbor Bree Merrill, also living on Brasher Avenue, couldn't be here.

At the last meeting, the planning commission recognized something our neighborhood has been advocating for from the beginning that meaningful neighborhood green space is an essential part of this development, not simply an optional amenity.

We left that meeting encouraged because there seemed to be a shared understanding that additional green space would help create a project that better serves both future residents and the existing neighborhood.

Yet the latest plan appears to move away from that direction as though the commission's guidance was viewed as a suggestion rather than an important expectation.

Neighborhood green space provides lasting benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics.

It creates a space where children can safely play, where neighbors can gather, where families can picnic, where seniors can walk, and where the community can build relationships.

It also improves stormwater management, supports mature trees and wildlife, reduces the urban heat island effect, and contributes to better physical and mental health for the community.

These are investments that continue paying dividends for generations.

This development has the opportunity to become a model for thoughtful planning, one that balances new investment with the quality of life for everyone who calls this neighborhood home.

We respectfully ask the Metro Council to remain steadfast in the direction established at the previous meeting and require meaningful neighborhood green space as part of any final approval.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Um go ahead.

Come on forward.

Thank you.

My name's Katie Gustafson.

I live at uh 905 B Strauss Avenue in the neighborhood.

And um, first of all, I just want to really thank the Southern Land Company.

I think they've done a great job engaging the community in terms of this development.

I will not try to repeat what Lidge said so eloquently, which is just the importance of green space.

And I would also just add to that, um, I think some other recommendations that were made was a traffic study and maybe additional access into the neighborhood.

I it's hard to imagine, I think, what that space is.

It's about 20 acres, and I think in terms of what's being proposed, which is super exciting, and I am not at all opposed to the development, but it is a substantial number of people and vehicles that will be in that 20 acres.

And so I think all of us, the neighbors and the Southern Land Company want that to be a place that still functions in terms of the traffic and what that means for people there.

And so I would just really encourage the committee tonight to reiterate maybe by saying no tonight, and please come back with that sort of additional information around the traffic and additional access to the neighborhood.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, does anyone else seek to be recognized uh to speak in opposition?

All right.

Um seeing none, I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you, uh, Mr.

Parker.

Um, with no amendments or substitutes or anything, you can make a consolidated motion for both of these, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Um, I think I'd like to defer one meeting with a brief explanation.

All right.

So there's a motion to defer 1403 and 1404.

Uh one meeting.

So just to clarify, sir, public hearing having been held, that is just to the next meeting is your intent for second reading.

Okay.

Properly seconded.

Go ahead.

So I want to thank our three neighbors from RENRAW who came out to speak tonight.

It is a uh kind of a relatively compact neighborhood, and this SP represents a significant chunk of that neighborhood.

So we've had a ton of meetings over um gosh, the last four or five years about the original SP, which is actually in place on the site right now, and then this amendment to the SP.

There's a lot of great things in this amendment to the SP.

We're able to realign Strauss, which is going to significantly help with traffic flow and and safety.

Um the way that the commercial buildings engage with the Gallatin corridor, I think it's a massive improvement over what was in the previous SP, the one that's in place right now.

Um there's there's still obviously a big desire from the community for more green space.

I do want to temper expectations because this is going from an open um institutional campus style um development to a dense mixed-use development.

Like that's still what's happening.

That's the SP that's in place today allows that to happen.

So we're not gonna be able to add like a park here.

Um, but what I'm hoping we can do in the the time of the deferral is take a look at that question of is there anything we can do with the structure?

The SP that's in place had, as one of the speakers mentioned, more attached product um in the the sort of for sale um multifamily area, it had more attached product, which means that you're not burning that space between units, and is there an opportunity to cluster some of those units and yield um a little bit of additional green space?

That's I think the most viable um path to potentially uh making an amendment here.

So that's what I want to spend the deferral time looking at, as well as um you know the planning commission.

We talked about how the area around the REN-RAW mansion is going to be programmed or arranged or addressed.

So um that's the purpose of the deferral, and I'll be reaching out to um both Southern and some of the neighbors to try and have some discussions about that in the in the time.

So I would just renew my motion for a one meeting deferral.

All right, um, there's a motion to defer one meeting um to the meeting of July 21st.

It was properly seconded.

You've heard um an explanation from the sponsor.

Is there any further discussion?

Uh okay, and again, this is for both 1403 and its companion 1404.

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, um, these will be back on our agenda on uh July 21st.

Um, okay.

So uh next is agenda item 19 um ordinance BL 2026-1405, sponsored Taylor.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws and Zoning Ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS5 to R6A zoning for property located at 1704 10th Avenue North, approximately 80 feet northwest of Jane Street.

This is 0.17 acres and located within the detached accessory dwelling unit overlay district.

Councilmember Taylor, you are recognized, sir.

Thank you.

Please open the public hearing.

Okay.

I declare the public hearing open for council member Taylor's ordinance one four zero five.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill please raise your hands?

Okay.

Would all members of the public here in opposition uh to this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay, seeing no one here uh um on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you for a motion on your bill, Mr.

Taylor.

Thank you.

Move for approval.

Okay, properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on this uh bill on its second of three readings?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining?

Okay, um, this is passed.

It's second reading.

Next, um, our agenda items 20 and 21.

They are companions to each other.

Sponsors Lee and Hill.

Um, the first is ordinance BL 2026-1406.

The second 1407.

1406 is an ordinance to amend title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from AR2A to SP zoning for properties located at 5601 5621, Cane Ridge Road, Cain Ridge Road unnumbered, and 3314 Old Franklin Road.

This is 42.2 acres to permit 79 multifamily residential units and 100 single family residential lots.

Um again, it's companion bill 1407 requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings uh mentioned in 1406.

Uh Ms.

Hill, you are recognized.

Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.

Go ahead.

Thank you, ma'am.

I'd like to move for uh deferral to August 4th to meeting deferral to August 4th.

Okay.

Um so there is a motion to defer uh these uh public hearings and the second reading of these bills to the meeting of August 4th.

It is properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on that motion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, those will be taken up on August the 4th.

Next is agenda item 22, ordinance BL2026-1408, sponsor Welsh.

This is an ordinance to mend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS5 to R6A zoning for property located at 311 joiner Avenue, approximately 350 feet southeast of Nolansville Pike.

This is 0.17 acres.

Uh Ms.

Welsh, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

Okay, I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Welsh's bill 1408.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill please raise your hand?

Okay, would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill please raise your hand?

All right.

Seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on this bill.

Thank you, Vice Mayor, move to approve.

All right, is there a second?

Okay, properly seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Okay.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

All right, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 23, ordinance BL 2026-1409.

Sponsor Parker.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RM9 to RM 15 ANS zoning for property located at 705A, Skyline Ridge Drive, approximately 44 feet north of Channing Drive.

This is 0.84 acres.

Councilmember Parker, you recognize, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayer.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

Okay.

I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Parker's ordinance 1409.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here in opposition, does the gentleman here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

He is shaking his head no, Mr.

Parker.

And so with that, um I will declare the public hearing closed.

And it's back to you for a motion on this bill.

Thank you, Vice Mayer.

I'd like to move approval.

Okay.

Seconded.

Um any discussion.

All right.

Uh seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 24.

This is ordinance BL 2026-1410.

Sponsor Taylor.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS5 to RM20 ANS zoning for property located at 2839 Georgia Avenue, approximately 808 feet west of 28th Avenue North.

This is 0.74 acres.

Councilmember Taylor, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you.

Open the public hearing, please.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open for council member Taylor's bill 1410.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Thank you, sir.

And okay.

Um would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay.

Seeing no one here in opposition, do the persons here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

They are both shaking their heads no.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed, Mr.

Taylor.

And it's back to you for a motion on this bill.

Move for approval.

Okay.

Is there a second?

Properly moved and seconded.

Any discussion?

Okay.

Seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

This has passed its second of three readings.

Next are agenda items 25 and 26.

Again, they are companions to each other.

Sponsors Lee and Hill.

The first is uh uh ordinance BL 2026-1411.

Um the second is uh 1412.

1411 is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from AR2A to SP zoning for property located at 13181 Old Hickory Boulevard at the corner of Old Hickory Boulevard and Twin Oaks Lane.

This is 4.97 acres to permit a mixed use development, and then again the companion 1412 requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings.

Uh council member Hill, you are recognized.

Thank you, ma'am.

I'd like to move for a two-meeting deferral with a brief comment.

Okay, so there's a motion um for a two-meeting uh deferral such that this would again be on its second reading for public hearing on August the 4th.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, um uh and that is uh applicable to 1411 and 1412.

Um is there second for that motion?

Okay, go ahead, ma'am.

I just want to also add that there will be a meeting at the Cane Ridge Community Center at 6 p.m.

July the twenty-third.

So I want to make sure everybody was aware of that as well.

Okay, 6 p.m.

July 23rd um community meeting.

Okay dokes.

Um uh seeing no one else seeking to be recognized for uh discussion.

There is a motion to defer to the meeting of August 4th, properly seconded.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Next is agenda item 27, ordinance BL 2026-1413, sponsor Welsh.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS5 to R6A zoning for property located at 110 Ludi Street, located approximately 270 feet west of Miller Street.

This is 0.17 acres.

Councilmember Welsh, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right, I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Welsh's bill one four one three.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Okay, seeing no one here in opposition.

Does the person here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

She is shaking her head no.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on your bill.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Move to approve.

Okay, is there second?

Okay, it's properly moved and seconded.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next, our agenda items 28 and 29.

Again, they are companions to each other.

Sponsor Evans.

Uh, agenda item 28 is ordinance BL 2026-1414.

Uh, this is an ordinance to mend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS 15 to SP zoning for property located at 6114, North New Hope Road, approximately 352 feet north of Central Pike.

This is three acres to permit 44 multifamily residential units and ordinance uh BL2026 1415, its companion, which requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings uh in the aforementioned 1414.

Uh Ms.

Evans, you're recognized for purposes of the public hearing.

These can be taken up together.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move to open the public hearing, please.

Okay, I declare the public hearing open for council member Evans's bills 1414 and 1415.

Would all members of the public hear in support of these bills, please raise your hands.

Thank you.

Uh would all members of the public hear in opposition to these bills?

Please raise your hands.

Seeing no one here in opposition, does the gentleman here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

He is shaking his head no.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you.

Um you can make a consolidated motion on these bills.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to uh move to approve both bills, please.

Okay.

There's a motion to approve uh 1414 and 1415.

Is there a second?

All right.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

All right.

Um 1414 and 1415.

Um, have passed their second uh of three readings.

Next is agenda item 30, ordinance BL 2026-1416, sponsor Webb.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by applying a contextual overlay district to various properties along Shepherd Hills Drive and Twin Hills Drive, southeast of Gallatin Pike, uh zoned R20.

This is 137.6 acres.

Uh Councilmember Webb, you're recognized, ma'am.

I'd like to ask for one meeting deferral, please.

Okay.

Um is your intent to defer to the next meeting in July or to the public hearing in August, the first meeting in August?

Yes, the first meeting in August.

Okay, there is a motion to defer to the first meeting in August for purposes of public hearing and second reading.

Is there a second?

Properly seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, this will be deferred to the meeting of August the 4th.

Next is agenda item 31, ordinance B L 2026-1417, sponsored tombs.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of Metro Government by changing from RS5 to R68 zoning for property located at 129 Elmhurst Avenue, approximately 96 feet north of Lucille Street.

This is 0.17 acres.

Council Member Tombs, you're recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Request to open a public hearing.

Okay, I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Tombs' bill uh 1417.

Uh would all members of the public hear uh in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Okay.

Seeing no one here in opposition, does the gentleman here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

He is shaking his head no.

And so with that, Ms.

Tombs, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for motion on your bill.

Move for approval.

Okay.

Um there's a motion to approve, properly seconded.

Uh is there any discussion on this?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 32, ordinance B L 2026-1418.

Sponsor Spain.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from AR to A to RM9NS zoning for property located at 7345 Old Charlotte Pike.

This is approximately 322 feet east of Old Hickory Boulevard and it is 0.93 acres.

Council Member Spain, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right, I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Spain's bill 1418.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand?

Okay.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Mr.

Spain, seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on this bill.

Thank you, Madam President.

Move approval.

Alright, is there a second?

Properly moved and seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

This has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 33, ordinance B L 2026-1419.

Sponsor Evans.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from R S 15 to R 15 zoning for property located at 3524 Earhart Road, approximately 535 feet south of Hesi Road.

This is 3.2 acres.

Councilmember Evans, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move to open the public hearing, please.

All right, I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Evans's bill uh 1419.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand?

Okay.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to these bills?

Please raise your hand.

Ms.

Evans, seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed.

It's back to you for a motion.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move for approval, please.

All right.

Is there a second?

Properly moved and seconded.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

Okay.

This has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 34.

Uh ordinance BL2026-1420 sponsor Webb.

This is an ordinance to mend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the ordinance, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by applying a contextual overlay district to various properties along Cumberland Hills Drive and North Side Drive, south of Gallatin Pike, zoned RS 40.

This is 68.2 acres.

Ms.

Webb, you're recognized.

I'd like to ask for another deferral till August the fourth meeting.

Okay.

Is there second?

Okay.

There is a motion to defer the public hearing and second reading to the meeting of August 4th.

It's properly seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Um any voting no or abstaining.

Okay.

This will be taken up again at uh the meeting of August 4th.

Next is agenda item 35, ordinance BL 2026-1421.

Sponsor Tombs.

This is ordinance amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS5 to R6A zoning for properties located at 1233 and 1235.

John L.

Copeland Boulevard at the southeast corner of Weekly Avenue and John Copeland Boulevard.

This is 0.28 acres.

Councilmember Toombs, you're recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, madam.

Vice Mayor, request to open the public hearing.

Okay.

I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Tombs' bill 1421.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand?

Okay.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here on either side, Ms.

Toombs, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on the bill.

Move for approval.

Okay.

Uh there is a motion to approve.

Robustly seconded.

Um is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

Okay.

Uh, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 36, ordinance BL 2026-1422, sponsor Benedict.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS 7.5 to R8A zoning for property located at 863 um Argyle Avenue, located at the corner of Argyll Avenue and Emmett Avenue.

This is 0.58 acres.

Ms.

Benedict, you are recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Um, Argyle is correct.

Thank you.

Okay, I know I almost said Argyle, but I didn't.

No, you got it.

Um I'm gonna move this to uh for deferral to the first meeting in August, please.

Okay, um there is a motion to defer properly seconded to move uh the public hearing and second reading of this bill to the first meeting in August, August 4th.

Is there any discussion on that motion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Um next uh our agenda items 37 and 38.

They are companions to each other.

Sponsor Horton uh 37 is ordinance BL 2026-1423 and uh agenda item 38 is 1424.

1423 is an ordinance to mend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by amending a specific plan on property located at 5901 California Avenue at the southeast corner of 60th Avenue North and California Avenue, zoned SP.

This is 8.12 acres to permit a mixed use development and again it's companion bill 1424, which will uh require certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings at the aforementioned addresses in 1423.

Councilmember Horton, sponsor you're recognized, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

Okay.

I declare the public hearing open.

Uh for council member Horton's bills 1423 and 1424.

Would all members of the public hear in support of these bills, please raise your hands.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to these bills, please raise your hands?

Okay.

Um seeing that there are folks here both in support and opposition.

Um are supporting speakers go first.

Um if the persons here in support um uh seek to be recognized and speak, if you would go ahead and um come forward uh to the podium, um, and line up behind.

Um, all right.

Uh go ahead, sir.

You are uh recognized.

Good evening.

I'm Wesley Smith here in a personal capacity.

I live right down the street from this, and um what I'm most excited selfishly for this project is it fills a pretty significant sidewalk gap from my apartment to West Park.

I walk this stretch several times a week.

I did this morning before work.

There's no sidewalk on either side of the street on the front edge of this property on 60th.

Uh, and so it connects basically from the food project to West Park, also from St.

John uh St.

Luke's community house to the park as well.

So it does a lot of what we say we want more of in this city, fills sidewalk gaps paid by for by developers, and it builds more housing.

Uh, and so that's as simple as it gets for me, and I hope you will support it.

Thank you.

All right, I just do want to make a point of clarification.

Mr.

Horton has several items on the agenda this evening, um, but that is this is an SP zoning particular to the nations on which you just spoke.

Thank you, sir.

But I do just want to make sure that folks hearing Mr.

Horton's name did not cue up uh as it relates to data centers.

Um, but if you are here to speak on that item in the nations, go ahead and come on forward, sir.

You're recognized.

Good evening.

My name is Dean White.

My family owns the property of 5901 California.

I want to express my support for the um proposed project.

Um we've been a business owner in the nations for over a decade.

Uh we've become very familiar with kind of what works and what doesn't work within the uh group, and we think it's very important to have residential opportunities as well as commercial opportunities, and that's what this uh project does.

Um, unfortunately, as a as the owner of this property, we've had a lot of um really bad things happen.

Uh our properties now vacant uh because of the SP that was gonna go on the property, our tenants vacated.

We've had numerous break-ins at the uh building.

All the wire, uh copper wires been stripped out of the building.

We've got vagrants that are living in the property.

We call called the police numerous times to uh try to get this situation addressed, and it's uh it's been a real drain on us and on the project.

Um, this project would deliver housing, retail space and a better landscape community with uh more trees and new sidewalks.

Um the theme behind the project is spending a lot of time working with the people in the neighborhood, trying to find common ground.

I think we have got the support of a large percentage of the people in the neighborhood be as a result of these efforts, although we do still have some opposition.

We're ready to sell this property, and unfortunately, our plan B will would have to be uh resorting to an industrial use or continuing an industrial use in the middle of a almost 100 percent residential neighborhood, which we think would be very adverse to the neighborhood.

So we um ask all to join us in supporting this project.

All right, thank you, sir.

Um, next uh speaking in support of Mr.

Horton's Bill 1423.

Go ahead, ma'am.

And the nations.

Hi, my name is Marjon Ravat.

I'm a homeowner and resident of District 20.

I wholeheartedly support this proposal.

I welcome this development that would augment our neighborhood's character.

We're in great need of walkable spaces to build community and adding both housing and businesses would help us achieve this.

I'm a mother as well, and I look forward to communal spaces that would allow for my child to walk or bike safely in the neighborhood.

And it's no secret that there is a housing shortage in Nashville, and we continue to perpetuate an artificial shortage by trying to block important measures like this one.

Opponents of this measure by and large do not have a stake in this neighborhood.

They either don't live here, don't send their kids to our public schools, and don't meaningfully invest in our community.

More housing would help families and renters move in.

The arguments against this are provably false.

Evidence-based research shows that renters socialize and participate in their communities rather than detract from them.

We need housing options for people who would like to put down roots in the area but can't afford a single family home.

In addition, we need more families to attend our local public school, or my child will be starting in the fall.

More registered students means uh more uh much needed resources as we lag behind compared to other national public schools.

Property taxes paid by developers would go toward local budgets, which will uh provide our public schools with uh those resources.

Uh opponents continue to sort facts, rely on misinformation, and provide emotional arguments that don't hold up to scrutiny.

These regressive arguments seek to restrict growth and housing options for people in need due to fears that are not supported by facts.

Mixed use buildings would enhance the feeling of community in our neighborhood.

This phenomenon is widely reported from Tokyo to Texas.

Uh, we'll undoubtedly benefit from like the small businesses and cafes that this measure would attract.

Uh, blocking this measure would prevent us from increasing the quality of our life and improving our neighborhood.

This development should be encouraged here in the nations and across Nashville.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come on forward.

Caitlin Jones, um I'm a I own a townhome in the Westmill Town Home Development, which is directly adjacent to this property.

Um, and I'm actually here for a different agenda item, but while I was sitting here for a little bit of time, I saw that this was on the agenda and attended a community meeting about it.

So I just wanted to vote or say support, say that I'm in support of this project.

Um again, I've lived in that townhome for several years and have seen the property um just become derelict.

There's, you know, uh, and I just think that this development, they've worked a lot with the community.

Again, I the the developer would partners came to me.

Um, as a former member of the HOA board of my townhome development to set up a community meeting with the townhomes that we're directly adjacent to.

Um, they've really worked, I think, to get information to us.

Um, so I'm just excited about more housing in the neighborhood.

This is a perfect parcel.

It's in Tucked in the neighborhood.

Um, I just think that that the current development that they have slated is what's appropriate for the neighborhood and what's gonna add to the neighborhood.

Um, and I'm excited about it as someone who uh has a property next door.

So I just wanted to voice my um favor for this project.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come on forward.

Y'all can come up a little bit closer to the podium so we can just keep it moving.

Go ahead, sir.

Hi, I'm Adam Nicholson.

I live in District 30.

I'm speaking in favor because this is the kind of thing we need to be building all over the city.

We got about 90,000 units shortfall.

This area has sidewalks, only 19% of the city has sidewalks.

There's a West Park City Park, two blocks away.

It's a highly desirable neighborhood, so much better to absorb this kind of demand in this area versus greenfield developments, bottlenecking off the highways.

They all gotta zoom through town, give us more traffic.

These people are already where they're where they want to be.

I would love to have more neighbors in the uh existing desirable neighborhoods.

Um Elmont Hillsboro just lost a 50 unit multifamily affordable unit in favor of a handful of multi-million dollar single-family homes.

So we can do better, please support this.

Thank you.

Go ahead, sir.

You're recognized.

Um, yeah, Andrew Steffen's 929 Gail Lane.

Um, I'm the project lead and uh managing director for wood partners.

Um, the 60th is uh thoughtfully designed and created mixed use development in the heart of the nations.

Um we've worked hard to get it to this point.

The updated SP would transform an operable abandoned warehouse into activated viral vibrant landscape and neighborhood appropriate development.

Early in the process, we explored um uh a large amount of commercial uh that project deemed to be uh unfeasible.

Um so we pivoted to this plan with this updated plan.

Uh we've retained a small retail footprint while creating a project that's both financially viable and responsive to the site's context.

The updated SP uh has less units, more trees, um, sidewalks, uh, crosswalks.

Uh we're also maintaining essentially the same height uh as the original SP, and it essentially adheres to the adheres to the UDO guidelines.

Um throughout the process, we've worked closely with the neighborhood leaders, neighborhood, uh neighbors nearby and business owners and councilman Horton to understand the priorities and shape a plan that supports the area's continued growth while remaining feasible to deliver.

Uh we're thankful to receive the planning commission's unanimous approval on April 23rd.

Uh, we believe the project will bring much needed housing to Nashville.

Uh, and we'd appreciate the support.

Thank you.

All righty.

Thank you so much.

Um, anyone else uh seeking to be recognized to speak in support?

All right.

Um now, if those among you who rose your hand in opposition, uh would seek to speak.

Um, please do come forward at this time and go ahead and come on down uh close to the podium.

Go ahead, ma'am.

You're recognized.

I'm Rachel Gladstone.

I've lived in the nations for 25 years.

I'm here specifically to ask for a deferral this evening.

Um the original SP, um grandfathered in um because it featured uh adaptive reuse of an existing building.

There's a 350-foot long mural painted by 12 artists that will be destroyed when this building is taken down.

The new SP left out any mention of this mural.

The original SP had it in, it is not mentioned at all.

Once the developer owns this land, they'll have the legal right to destroy this public art installation, and we'll have no recourse to stop them.

On April 27th, CM Horton assured the neighborhood association that the bill would not come up for first reading until fall.

I've sent um an email to all of you showing you the art, the beautiful art.

Um, and um this meant we'd have a few months to figure out what to do and how to dismantle the mural.

Um, but the first reading came on June 2nd, unbeknownst to any of us.

So an artist sent a demand letter to the developer with a federal law that protects their work.

The visual artists' rights act requires the developer to give 90 days notice to each of these 12 artists before their work can be touched.

The developer thus far has not replied to this demand letter, which went out on June 23rd by certified mail.

In the light of the accelerated timeline being pushed here, we respectfully ask for this bill to be deferred for a brief period of three meetings.

So the artists in the community have a meaningful opportunity to pursue every possible avenue to save this iconic hundred and fifty foot, 350 foot mural.

I know the city loves art.

I know this council loves public art.

It's a huge part of Nashville, and we would like a chance to save it.

We don't want you to vote on the merit of the bills.

Your time is concluded.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come forward, please.

You're recognized.

Hello, I'm Becky Turner.

I live in Treaty Oaks in the Nations.

This um properties directly directly behind my house.

And I want to read a letter from one of the artists that couldn't be here today.

Um it says, My name is Audi Arox.

I am one of the artists who created the nation's mural wall on 60th Avenue.

This project brought together by 12 of Nashville's most prolific muralists to create a work of art that celebrates the beauty and diverse community that calls the nation's home.

This 350 foot mural has become a fixture of the Nashville's public art scene.

Today it's at risk of being destroyed as part of this redevelopment project.

The artists who created the mural poured their hearts and souls in this work, and by all accounts, this is a piece of public art that was meaningfully meaningful, considered in the sites re-and development plans.

It's it's nowhere in there.

Um we're gonna lose this great piece of art.

Today I find myself in this heartbreaking position asking Metro Council for something very simple.

Just more time, more time, time to bring the artists together, time to explore the protections under federal law, time to work with the community and determine whether this irreplaceable work of art can't be preserved.

Nashville probably calls itself the Athens of the South.

I hope we can continue to live up to this reputation by value in art as much as we do develop it.

Once this mural is gone, it's gone forever.

I respectfully ask to defer this bill for three meetings so that the artist and the community can meaningfully opportunity to take any action we can to save and work on this um opportunities to keep this piece of art.

So I would appreciate any deferral at this time.

So thanks for your consideration.

All righty.

Um anyone else seeking to be recognized to speak in opposition.

We're not we're not going back to support.

I'm in opposition.

Okay.

There's too many parking spots.

Okay.

And it's a very short bike wide array from the 50.

We'd just love to see developments like this with less parking.

Thanks.

All right, thank you.

Um, anyone else seeking to be recognized to speak in opposition?

Seeing none, I will declare the public hearing closed um for both these companion bills, and it's uh back to you for a motion, Mr.

Horton, to get them before us.

Um, sorry, sir, go ahead.

Thank you, Vice Mayer.

I'd like to move approval with a brief comment, please.

All right, there is a motion to approve uh 1423 and its companion 1424 uh properly seconded.

Go ahead.

Thank you.

First, I'd like to thank all of my constituents who showed out to share their um thoughts on this, both in support and um those in opposition to the uh proposal.

Uh this is not a new project, this is an amendment to an existing SP that was approved by my predecessor back in 2023.

Uh the SP is being amended to modify a provision that requires the reuse of the existing building.

Uh that provision is being modified due to damage that the structure has incurred while it's remained vacant both due to vandalism and an unhoused community who's been residing on the premises.

Uh the existing building is primarily remarkable because of the cool mural that's on the side of it.

Uh ironically, that was not part of the structure that was going to be preserved in the original SB, but it will be preserved in this current one.

Uh, it is the developer's intent to reuse the mural um and the new development.

Um, and we'll I'll be bringing an amendment to codify that intent on third reading and can defer it if necessary to um if we need more time to get that amendment in.

Uh and with that, I'd like to remove renew the motion for approval, please.

All right.

Um there's a motion to approve 1423 and uh 1424 on their second of three readings.

Um any further discussion.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting.

We're in the middle of voting.

So I did.

Do you have a point of order?

I had when you ask for additional commentary, I have my hand up before we start.

I may.

We've moved on to the vote, ma'am.

I apologize.

I did not see you in the queue.

So you missed it, so because you just said that I don't get to say that.

Well, it's on its second reading.

Um, it will be in committee on its third reading, and we have already moved to the vote, so we are not going back.

Okay.

Um, so we had said all in favor, please say aye.

Um, any voting no?

No, okay.

Um, Ms.

Diles will be recorded as a no.

Any abstaining.

Okay.

Um, this has passed its second of three readings again.

Um it will go uh to committee on uh third reading.

Um these bills are uh amendable on their third reading.

Okay.

Next agenda items 39 and uh 40.

They are companions to each other.

Ordinance BL 2026-1425 and 1426 sponsor Herrell.

Uh 1425 is an ordinance to mend Title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from AR2A to SP zoning for property located at 3233 Hamilton Church Road, approximately 315 feet west of Buck Passer Avenue.

This is 4.05 acres and located within the Hamilton Hills Urban Design Overlay to permit 24 multifamily residential units.

And again, the companion is 1426.

It requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings uh in the aforementioned 1425.

Um Mr.

Harrell, Vice Chair, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Um, so I would like to move to uh defer um 1425 and 1426 one meeting uh due to lack of notice.

Okay, and so let's do that one um or rather two meetings to uh the next public hearing for purposes of public hearing.

Okay, so that will be a deferral of two meetings to the meeting of August 4th, um, and it will have its public hearing and second reading uh at that time.

Is there second for that motion?

Okay, properly moved and seconded any discussion.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Next, agenda items uh item uh 41, ordinance BL 2026-1427.

Uh sponsor and uh Hancock and Mr.

Horton, um uh chair has signed on.

Um this is an ordinance to amend uh title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS 10 to R 10 zoning for property located at 917 Hospital Drive, approximately 444 feet east of Kingsley Boulevard, this is 0.443 acres.

Um, Councilmember Horton, uh you are recognized, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

Okay, I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Hancock and Mr.

Horton's bill 1427.

Uh would all members of the public here in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion.

Thank you.

Move for approval, please.

All right, properly uh moved and seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay.

Um this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 42, ordinance BL 2026-1428, sponsor Benedict.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS 10 to M U N A S A N S, yes, zoning for properties located at uh 2212 and 2216 Riverside Drive at the northwest corner of Oakhurst Drive and Riverside Drive.

This is 0.60 acres.

Councilmember Benedict, you're recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Benedict's bill 1428.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay, thank you.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here in opposition to the persons here in support seek to be recognized.

Um they are shaking their head no, uh, Miss Benedict.

Uh so I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion.

Thank you.

I'd move approval, please.

All right.

Um uh is uh there's a motion to approve.

It's properly seconded.

Uh, we are on to discussion.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

Okay, this has passed its second of three readings.

All right, um uh the last non-data center item on a public hearing.

Just the regular old public hearing is agenda item 43.

This is ordinance BL 2026-1429, sponsor Spain.

Uh this is an ordinance to amend Title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by canceling a portion of a residential planned unit development overlay district on properties located at 8011 and 8087 Poplar Creek Road and Poplar Creek Road unnumbered.

Uh approximately 2,000 uh 78 feet west of Old Harding Pike.

This is 39.2 acres and it's zoned RS 15 and AR2A.

Councilmember Spain, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you, Madam President.

Last but not least, I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

All right, I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Spain's bill 1429.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay, I I see you, sir.

Thank you for uh leaning out there.

Um seeing that there is a person here in opposition, and just the person here in support uh seek to be recognized and speak.

Persons in support will go first if you seek to speak.

Okay.

Um right.

Um you are uh recognized to speak in support.

Go ahead.

Um, oh I'm sorry, ma'am.

I apologize.

Um I did not have your mic on, and I would ask that you also just stand very close to the mic as well.

Thank you.

Jane Strange in support.

This is family property that was had a PUD overlay on it.

That we are seeking to take the PUD overlay off so that it can return to farm property as my father initially intended it to be.

Our one of our children and her family want to build on it and operate it in the way that it was operated in the past and that dad sought to have preserved.

All right, thank you, ma'am.

Um does the person here in opposition behind the column uh seek to be recognized and speak.

Okay, um, just to make sure.

Anyone else here in support?

Okay, go ahead.

In opposition, you may come forward.

Go ahead.

I'm all Mish, I live on Popo Creek, and all I knew about this was they're trying to take away from it being residential, and so I've heard I want it to remain residential.

If she's saying it's gonna go to farmland instead of homes, that's even better.

I just wanted to do.

Okay, all right.

So is anyone else uh seeking to be recognized in uh in uh opposition?

Okay, seeing none, I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you, Mr.

Spain, for a motion on your bill, sir.

Thank you, madam president.

Um apparently we could have done a better job communicating the intent of this, but uh as was mentioned uh the existing PUD calls for another 90 plus homes on this property.

It was included as a possible future phase five of Papa Creek Estates.

That's not gonna happen.

You heard from from Mr.

Anton what the intent for the property is without a move approval.

Okay, all right.

There's a motion to approve.

Day here, second.

All right, is there any further discussion on uh this bill?

Okay, um seeing none, all in favor, uh please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, uh this has passed its second of three readings.

All righty, okay, so now we are moving in uh to the portion of our public hearing uh related to data centers.

Um uh this uh portion of the public hearing, as you all who have very patiently uh waited are aware, um, has uh ticketed queuing um and ticketed speaking so as not to be tedious throughout the evening.

I am not going to call people sort of number by number at this juncture.

I presume we kind of have our uh our first uh five and uh what I am going to uh do occasionally is just ask uh the person who is speaking what their ticket number is because I imagine over time we may have some attrition, right?

And so um I will just ask for that uh occasionally, and then I will also update um sort of the listening or viewing or present public on um where we are from a status standpoint.

Um so uh this first public hearing um uh and I will go to the sponsor to make it official, but this is for agenda items 44 and 45.

They are companions to each other.

Um uh they are bills uh 1391, um uh and it's companion 1392.

I will just read these into the record and then recognize the sponsor.

Um 1391, or the primary sponsor has sponsors.

Horton, Porterfield, Gad, Huffman, Welsh, Tombs, Prepti, Benedict, Spain, Parker, Wiener, Bo, Bradford, Coopin, Ewing, Johnston Sepulveda, Evans, Cortez, Hill, Allen, Taylor, Cap, Gamble, Greg, Suara, Harrell, and Druffle as of this printing.

So a lot of uh sponsors.

This uh 1391 is an ordinance to amend Title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws to add various new data center uses and related definitions and conditions to the zoning code.

Uh 1392 is the companion uh to that bill that requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings.

Um, so Mr.

Horton, um, you are recognized, sir.

I'm sorry.

Go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayer.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Horton's uh bills uh 1391 and 1392.

Um uh we are just going to um proceed uh through um let's see, did we actually ask if anybody is in opposite?

Okay.

So this is just like we do at the budget public hearing.

If you're for or against or whatever, you are just speaking on this bill.

Um but I will, I guess for purposes of um dramatic photography, ask um, would all members of the public here in support of this bill please raise your hands.

Okay.

Um uh would all members of the public here in opposition uh to this bill, please raise your hand.

Um, okay, all right.

Um, so uh as I um stated earlier, um, and just for the general public to be aware, um uh we are going to uh have our staff um support folks in getting cued in ticketed order.

We don't want folks to be um standing uh too long.

Um uh and uh we will continue to call people kind of from the mezzanine and down um from the third floor as needed.

I do want to share with folks as you contemplate um whether or not you wish to speak this evening.

Um you may be here for several hours.

Um you are here in numbers, and we see and we feel that.

Um you may feel um that folks have um you know spoken uh great words with which you concur.

So you uh each have two minutes.

Um uh you don't have to use the entirety of your two minutes, um, nor um if you see that others are saying what you might want to say.

Um uh the the ticket that you have does not uh require you to speak, okay?

You might change your mind.

Um you are very uh welcome, you are very welcome to speak.

Um I do want to let you know that as of eight p.m.

there were 245 um ticket ticketed.

Yes, sir.

Um, how many sponsors do we have on this bill?

Um twenty-eight.

Twenty eight sponsors?

Yes, okay, thank you.

And yeah, um, and those were the 28 sponsors that I read into the record.

I think Mr.

Taylor is perhaps mentioning that because what that implies is this bill is if every sponsor votes in favor um is is likely to pass this evening.

Um, so as of 8 p.m., there were 245 ticketed speakers.

So everybody, if you want to do the math, two times 245 speakers is an eight-hour public hearing.

Okay.

And so um uh this is a public hearing.

Folks who want to speak will be heard.

But I would ask that with respect to everyone here, um, uh, you know, let's let's think about this as we as we go along.

Okay.

Um, and so with that, um, the public hearing is open.

Um, and so if our first speaker would please come forward.

Hi, I was not expecting to have to go first.

But um, good evening.

My name is Catherine Wyan, and I live in the Davidson County side of Hermitage Tennessee in Council District 14.

I'm here to speak in support of ordinance BL26 2026 1391 because I want strong and permanent rules and regulations around data centers in Nashville and Davidson County, not just at Fisk University or the zoo, and not just for six months.

This means not a single large scale data center goes up in Davidson County, hopefully forever.

But if not that, then until the full scope of effects on our power grid, infrastructure, water, and public health can be fully understood, and the companies who want to build them can fully account for how they are going to mitigate these effects so that the population of Middle Tennessee is not left bearing, the health and financial consequences of the current run on non-necessary data centers being built to capitalize on massive tax cuts to corporations, including DC Blocks, a company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Thank you to Councilmember Horton, my council member Huffman, and all the other sponsors of this ordinance for looking out for Davidson County residents.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, go ahead.

Folks, we're gonna move much faster if we don't have clapping and if folks to the podium will just come on right on up and roll on through.

Go ahead, sir.

You're recognized.

Thank you.

Everyone, my name is Rick Heron.

I'm a resident of Nashville, live in German town neighborhood.

I'm a volunteer leader with the Tennessee's chapter of the Sierra Club.

I'd like to share my personal thoughts on BL 2026, 1391, and 1448 tonight.

The rapid and unchecked growth of data centers is quickly overwhelming utilities, putting rate pairs at risk of increased bills, undermining our environmental goals and public health, and putting our air, water, and climate at risk.

I urge council members to support both bills 1391 and 1448 to protect David County from the adverse impacts we've seen, not only in Memphis, but all across the country, where tech companies are allowed to run roughshod over communities.

I support 1391 as a first step in the right direction.

But the current language in 1391 must be strengthened.

Uh we need to be vigilant to have not only the intent, but the reality of protections with real teeth.

Are holes big enough to drive a trailer bed uh full of noisy polluting gas turbines through uh to that end?

I urge council members to support amendments to 1391 that include the following.

Um, one the use of renewable energy and substantially increasing the requirements in the bill so that uh any projects do not move us backwards from our own city's goal of reducing uh community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.

Um, to the extent any emissions producing generators are allowed at all for on site power.

There need to be very strict, strong limitations so that these on-site power generators are not used for routine operations or as a substitute for any grid power produced by NES and TVA.

Um, also need written confirmation from NES or TVA that they have or will have the capacity to fully serve any projects, so that's power reliability for the rest of us will not be compromised.

Uh again, uh speak in support of this bill.

Language needs to be strengthened.

I urge the council members to support these amendments.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come on forward.

You're recognized.

Hello, my name is Amber Rose.

I am a homeowner in District 7.

Shout out to Councilwoman Benedict.

Um, ditto what they said, uh, support it, and I'm glad there's 28 sponsors, so thanks.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come on forward.

You're recognized.

My name's Megan Castleberry.

I live in Nashville in District 5.

I'm a member of the Middle Tennessee Democratic Socialist Chapter, and I support uh the BL 2026 1391 to hopefully in the future with strength and language, prevent the construction of all data centers, but if not to prevent, then to strictly regulate.

Um, the use of AI in both fields uh uh arts and education simply must be regulated as is taking a direct toll on the creative job market as well as the well-being of young people whom I work directly with, both in Davidson and Williamson counties.

The use of AI systems aside, it's been shown time and time again that environmental impact of data centers on local communities and the planet at large are undeniably awful.

I'm a proud born and raised Tennessean.

I have moved out of state and back here, largely in support of the natural beauty of living here, and uh those data centers wrecking that natural beauty is a direct attack against our humanity and against Tennesseans.

So we're in support of this bill.

Glad to see you all are too.

Along with Tennessee.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead and come forward, and could you share your ticket number, please?

Oh, uh yes, I'm ticket number six.

Um, go ahead.

And my name is Rachel Glidden, and I live in District 7, and I'm here to support BL 2026 1391.

I want to ask the question, I guess, of the group, which is basically if the people building these data centers don't want to live by them, why should we?

That's that's pretty much it.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead and come on forward.

Ticket number seven.

Uh, my name is Riley Newton.

I live in Nashville in District uh six, and I'm here in support of BL 2026 1391.

I concur with everything that's been said before, and I yield my time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Excellent.

Go ahead and come on forward, sir.

You're recognized.

I am ticket number eight.

Not everybody has to state their ticket.

I'm just gonna ask occasionally, but thank you.

Go ahead.

My name is Henry Bennett Jones.

I have lived in District 24.

I'm in support of BL 2026 1391.

I've lived in Nashville my entire life.

And uh I've gone to the zoo as a child, uh, and I think that, you know, on behalf of everyone that has grown up going to the zoo, and on behalf of those that want to be able to enjoy the zoo in the future, I think that a data center there would be a extreme detriment to my ability and others' ability to enjoy going to the zoo and an extreme detriment to the surrounding neighborhoods of Nolansville Pike.

Thank you.

Appreciate you coming out.

Thank you.

Go ahead, sir, you're recognized.

My name is Amir Myers.

Uh Mr.

Myers, can you pull that mic up so I can hear you a little bit better?

Go ahead, sir.

My name is Amir Myers.

I am from District 28 around the Enio area.

And I am a I am in support of both bills.

And honestly, I just have to say, what's the point of innovation if it's going to lead to the harm of others?

Um, and I I you with my time.

Thank you.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Come on forward, and if you could share your ticket number.

I am ticket number 10.

Okay, thank you.

Go ahead.

Good evening.

I'm Emily Chitarin.

I am in District 29.

And for the sake of brevity, I'm here to tell you that I am in support of this bill.

I am a fifth generation Nashvillean.

My daughters are sixth generation.

And I would like to leave Nashville in a better place than how I found it and how I grew up here.

So please pass this bill.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead and come on forward.

Go ahead and come on forward.

You're recognized.

If everybody could keep coming forward, um, not leaning against the wall, go ahead and come on forward.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Hello, I'm number 11, Alex Van Zieland from Inglewood, and I support BL 2026 1391.

250 years ago, our forefathers fought for our right to live in a free country.

And 250 years later, I find myself questioning am I truly free?

Am I free when my government gives tax breaks to billionaires for the construction of a building that harms my neighbors?

Am I truly free when my cost of living skyrockets and the only answer we the people receive is deal with it?

Am I truly free when my data is more valuable than my life, your life, and the animals caught in between?

And when our rights and civil liberties are eroded by corruption and greed, history shows what comes next.

The seed of revolution, just like our forefathers before us.

We don't want watered-down restrictions.

We don't want half measures, we don't want data centers at all.

Consider this my creative tea, thrown into the Boston Harbor, and made this movement inspire every other state in between this country to follow suit and call out the people in power who look to profit off the harm of our citizens.

All right, thank you.

Go ahead and come forward, sir.

You're recognized.

Let's please not pause in between speakers, sir.

Come on forward.

Thank you, sir.

You're recognized.

My name is Alan Deal.

I'm in support of 1391.

And uh if heaven were on earth, it would have to be the zoo.

There's so much to see and a whole lot to do.

From the Gibbons to the Rhinos, the zoo is the place to go.

Where else can you say pink flamingos?

There is a lot to do, and you never can tell you might even ride a wild animal on the carousel.

You can soar like an eagle way up in the sky, or why ride a toy train while the people wave by.

But it isn't just the animals that you see at the zoo.

The one thing I hope to see is you.

Let's not put this data center here.

It don't belong.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

We appreciate your poem.

Okay, go ahead and come forward.

You're recognized.

Hello, my name is Darcy Heaser.

I live in Nashville in District 5, and I support Bill 1391.

I'm a Nashville native and the daughter of a prominent figure in animal activism.

My mom started the first Noak Hill Animal Shelter in Greater Nashville.

As an animal rights activist, my mom spoke for the voiceless, and that is why my I am here today.

I do not want to see a data center built near the zoo.

This isn't just about the animals, it's also about the human impact.

There are three facts that support why we should not have data centers in Davidson County at all.

Power supply.

A typical data center takes up power of over a hundred thousand homes.

Residents already experienced the horrors that was winter storm fern.

The residents of Davidson County do not need to see rising electrical costs and failed systems again.

Water pollution.

Our rivers already have been tested and have shown a persistent presence of forever chemicals of PFAS.

We don't need more water pollution.

Noise pollution.

Data centers can make noise of up to 85 decibels.

This noise won't just impact the zoo animals.

That noise impacts the entire city's ecosystem.

For example, birds, frogs, squirrels, and bats have mating calls that depend on acoustical environments.

Simply, we will see a change in our wildlife species and food chain as a result of this data center.

In summary, we do not need any new data centers.

I support Bill 1391 because it puts restrictions and rules in place about data centers, and that's a start.

Truly, Bill 1391 is only a compromise to no data centers at all.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Could you share your ticket number, please?

Number 15.

Okay, thank you, ma'am.

Go ahead.

Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council.

I'm Penny Judd.

I'm a Goodlitzville resident, and I serve on the Nashville Zoo board.

I am here in support of council approving measures to create zoning rules for data centers and other lawful measures to protect the zoo.

While economic growth is key to a vibrant city, this pause to review and amend land use policies is an important and responsible step toward balancing quality of life with economic growth so that children of all ages can enjoy the zoo for years to come.

Our family has cherished the Nashville Zoo, visiting often for the past 20 years, enjoying the wildlife and beautiful, serene setting, and is such an asset for children and families and a great treasure for everyone in our region.

Our community has this significant opportunity to protect animal habitats, park space, and surroundings for generations to come.

With over a half million petition signatures, it is evident that our community agrees with this sentiment.

Further, I support innovation and technological advancement as a tool toward greater prosperity and American competitiveness.

This location is simply not the right place or land use for a data center next door to this park setting with animal habitats and surrounding neighborhoods.

In closing, the Nashville Zoo is thriving as Nashville's number one tourist attraction with over 1.3 million visitors in 2025, as reported in the Nashville Business Journal.

I share this to encourage council to rally around building upon this momentum of great things happening at the zoo and protecting this amazing asset for our community.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead, you recognize.

Hello, my name is Noelle Shaw.

I am a resident of District 33, and I am here in support of this legislation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, come on forward.

Hi, my name is Katie Bridgeforth.

I'm a resident of District 13 near BNA and Donaldson.

I'm here speaking tonight in support of BL 2026 1391.

Legislation surrounding data centers is important for our city.

Having clear guidelines surrounding how and where data centers can operate supports the people and animals Nashville calls home.

Legislation, once passed, can be amended as we seek to better protect our homes, our communities, our safe places.

Legislation sets a clear precedent.

Nashville protects her communities.

Research shows the negative effects of data centers on communities.

To summarize, data centers disrupt the ability to live life.

In our own city, two proposed sites near Fisk University and the Nashville Zoo have united people in support of better legislation to keep communities safe.

BL 2026 1391 is the start in keeping schools like Pearl Cone and MLK safe from disruptions in education.

BLK 2026 1391 is a start in protecting the Nashville Zoo, a pe place beloved by the people the animals who live there and the people who visit.

For the representatives who have supported this bill, thank you for your support of Nashville.

And for those of you still deciding, I am asking for your support of BL 2026 1391, protecting Nashville and what she holds dear.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come on forward.

Good evening.

My name is Dan Russell, and I live in District 21 and work in the environmental sector.

I am here because although I support BL2026 1391, I want to see the following changes made to it.

First, we need clearer definitions outlining what kinds of data centers are allowed to be built regardless of size.

Right now, quote, data center is a catch-all term ranging from basic school computer labs to advanced cloud computing and AI use.

We need clarity here and much stricter restrictions put forth on data centers using advanced cloud computing and AI that have shown more harmful environmental and public health impacts, regardless of their size.

Second, I don't believe the recommended distances for new data center builds close to residential, academic, religious, and conservation areas go far enough.

Small data centers should now be one mile away, medium data centers should now be two miles away, and large data centers should now be three miles away.

Third, all new data center builds must run on 100% renewable energy resources.

This includes both primary and backup power in the event of a shutdown.

Again, no exceptions.

There also there needs to be a local incentive program to transition current data center centers to run on 100% renewable energy.

Fourth and finally, revise section seven unquote permits to data centers underline item I to where data center operators must give now quarterly compliance reports at the beginning of each fiscal quarter, as opposed to the current language saying only once a year, no later than the first of January.

Keep these companies accountable.

Thank you, and please consider my revisions.

Thank you.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Hi, my name is Jack Settle.

I live in district 16.

Um, my home is on Sanford Avenue, which is three quarters of a mile from 648 Grassmere.

Uh additionally, I work uh for an audiovisual company uh located less than half a mile from 648 Grassmere in District 26.

Um, and also do just want to thank um all the sponsors um of this bill, specifically uh council members Horton, uh Welsh and Johnston.

Um, as you probably guessed, I am uh strongly opposed to new data centers being built anywhere in the city, especially right next to me.

Um I have many concerns as um others have mentioned noise, environmental impact, energy use, property value, uh, and the quality of life in my neighborhood.

I feel like my neighborhood has so much potential, and this would be a big kick in the face to put that there.

Uh Nashville is a very special place.

It's um, as was mentioned in the invocation, it's an international hub for business, music, healthcare, tourism, and so much more.

Uh, my little slice of that that I fit into is music and entertainment.

I'm a singer and songwriter.

Um, fortunate to get to play on occasion at the Bluebird Cafe.

And every time I play there, I meet uh people from like at least two other countries and probably 10 other states.

Uh, those people don't come here to see our data centers.

Uh they come here for our music, for our talent, for Tennessee's incredibly beautiful scenery.

Um, so let's uh continue to make Nashville welcoming place to visitors, but most importantly, a safe, comfortable home for its residents.

Uh, the people of Nashville have made it clear uh today what they want.

I'm sure you all heard the chanting outside and and outside the building.

Um so I'm asking that you vote in favor of us, people of Nashville, and not in favor of an out of state corporation.

Um, asking you to say no to data centers and say yes to greenery.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, go ahead and come on forward.

Hello, welcome.

You can pull that mic way down.

Thank you, sir.

Go ahead.

My name is Josiah.

I live in District Five.

I love the zoo, and I want the animals to stay happy and healthy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hang on, hang on.

Josiah, wait there.

Okay, go ahead.

Hi, my name is Sarah Rivas.

I live in McFarn Park in East Nashville, Council District 5.

Um, I am here in support of this bill.

My eight-year-old goes to school about a mile and a half from this proposed data center site, and I want him to have clean air, clean water, but the reality is every single eight-year-old in Nashville deserves that, just like my son in every part of Nashville.

So I urge the council to consider that it's the government's responsibility to regulate corporate interests before they hurt people, before they hurt animals, before they hurt the environment, if at all possible, and I urge the council to consider that in all of the data center bills going forward.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Uh go ahead, come on forward.

You're very welcome.

You can pull that.

Hi, my name is Jenny Mott.

My district is 29, and I support this bill.

One issue I have is with the Metro stormwater permits documents showing that all three of the site's stormwater drainage outfalls from the data center currently flow onto the existing stormwater infrastructure located on the zoo property.

According to permit documents, a water and sewer review was canceled with no explanation.

A noise review was approved, but no documents have been provided from it.

The zoo's stormwater retention system is already strained, and the zoo's retention pond works overtime to filter stormwater runoff where the data center plans to be built.

The infrastructure protects groundwater and streams that not only run through the zoo but also through the neighboring community.

The data center will have detrimental impacts on the well-being of the animals at the zoo.

Effects of noise pollution from AI centers on animals are chronic stress, disruptive breeding patterns, hearing damage, the constant hum can disrupt and mask natural sounds that the animals use to communicate amongst themselves, leaving them confused and agitated.

Prolonged or sudden noises can cause direct hearing damage, heightened anxiety, cardiovascular or representing the effects of the air pollution on animals can compromise their respiratory systems, give them neurological damage, and reproductive failure.

The US already has eight times more data centers than any other country.

We have 4,280 data centers.

The closest to us has 527 data centers.

That is by far the greatest number of data centers in the world.

My notes were more for the zoo, but I also disagree with it next to the FISC because of the same dangers, noise pollution, air quality, and the stream water or energy.

Thank you.

Appreciate you coming out.

Yeah.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Hi, my name is Jax Mott, and the Nashville Zoo is ranked top 10 zoos in the country and top 10 attractions in Tennessee.

And all six primates at the zoo are endangered or critically endangered.

The Amoe Leopard, Summitron, Tiger, Clouded Weapons, Cheetahs, Eastern Hellbenders, and the Nashville Crayfish.

The zoo, the zoo has over 350 species and 3,000 animals.

And the zoo participates in over 50 species survival plans.

AI data centers are being built at an alarming pace.

This one could be feet away from the most fragile and rare collections of animals in the country.

The zoo's incredibly rare animals and endangered animals are a Moe Leopard, which is the world through the rarest big cat.

Um the spotted faunoloca is the first American zoo, the Nashville zoo is the first American zoo to successfully breed this rare animal.

The summitron tigers are the rarest tigers on earth, and the Maasai giraffes are endangered species.

The zoo isn't is a great place, and I love seeing the animals happy.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

All right.

Could you please uh share with me your ticket number?

24.

Okay, folks.

We started at 8 37.

Um it is now 9 01, and we're on our 24th speaker.

So we're moving in good time.

Go ahead, ma'am.

I'm Perry Delfavro from District 20.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need zoos, but our world isn't perfect.

Human progress has inflicted a permanent scar on the creatures who share our planet, and we can't turn back the clock.

But we can create places that protect wildlife and promote conservation.

Zoos.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room.

Some people don't like zoos.

I love sharing with skeptics what I've learned in my two decades of involvement with the Nashville zoo.

These educational institutions are highly regulated by governing bodies overseeing construction materials, diets, even which bears are permitted to hump each other.

The zoos of our childhood looked very different.

And as our knowledge has grown, they've evolved.

Zoos are the reason we still have so many previously endangered species.

Our Nashville Zoo has released over 40,000 crested toad tadpoles to their native Puerto Rico.

Countless wild animals of today descend from those raised responsibly in human care.

It is through this work that I believe we're atoning for our environment environmental sins.

Zoos didn't earn our trust quickly or by accident.

Over time, society and government demanded standards, transparency, and accountability.

In this context, last generation doesn't mean decades, not even one decade.

He's referencing facilities that were considered state of the art only a few years ago.

His own words prove my point.

Data centers are evolving so quickly that they're a complete unknown, as is their long-term impact.

Responsible oversight shouldn't be an afterthought, it should be the starting point.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Hello, my name is Dara Rosencranz-Kadar, and I'm a district 27 resident and homeowner.

I'm here to express support for a BL 2026 1391, strong legislation that protects every neighborhood in Nashville from the dangers of data centers.

We have the opportunity to prevent terrible harm, and we must.

In my Jewish tradition, one of our most important values is Tikun Olam, which is usually translated as repairing the world.

However, many Jewish scholars have argued that a more authentic translation is actually preventing harm by setting up systems that stop harm before it occurs.

That is what we have the opportunity to do with this legislation, and we must.

Do we make decisions that are good for Nashville?

Are we steadfast in our moral compass?

Or are we misaligned?

In only my short lifetime, I've seen I've seen things happen in Nashville that break my heart.

I've seen us degenerate.

I've seen choices that leave our local businesses and homeowners hanging at the gallows.

If property taxes were gallows, you guys would tell us to hang in there.

Um, you know, there's not much that we can do on our end except for speak our voice and our opinions and tell you that I don't think the future is AI.

Inherently in my heart, I believe AI is anti-human, and I think data centers are anti-human as well.

I'm not anti-technology, not by any stretch of the imagination, but I am against anything that is anti-human, and uh listen to your hearts.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

Come on forward.

You're recognized?

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Vesna Galovich.

I live in North Nashville, District 21, and I'm here in support of BL 2026 1391.

I wanted to begin by acknowledging this very moment.

Today, people from across Davidson County took the time away from their jobs, their families, their responsibilities to come here and ask you to protect something we all share our resources, our neighborhoods, our wildlife, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.

If I wanted to build an even small industrial operation on my own property, I couldn't.

There are zoning laws, setbacks, noise regulations, and environmental protections that exist to protect my neighbors.

So why should facilities that consume enormous amounts of water and electricity and have the potential to create significant negative impacts on our communities be held to lower standards?

BL2026-1391 is an important first step, but it should do more than just determine where data centers may be built.

Before any project is approved, there should be independent, transparent evidence that it will not harm nearby residents, strain our water and power infrastructure, increase noise and pollution, or add to the cumulative burdens already carried by communities like North Nashville.

The burden of proof should rest with the project, not with the community.

Growth should never occur, and it can come at the expense of the people who call this city home.

Our neighborhoods are not industrial parks, they are homes, schools, hospitals, parks, and communities that make Nashville what it is, and they are worth protecting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

You're recognized.

And I'm here to uh support Bill BO 2026 1391.

Um there's a lot that has been said, but I'm here to go further and talk about the accountability enforcement.

Um so I'm here to advocate the use of community benefits agreements, which is a mechanism for the establishment of transparency between the developer and the community as well as enforceable accountability.

Uh community benefits agreement will require the data center owners to do things like restrict which energy sources are permitted and restricted, capacity caps, local labor requirements, and publishing of all reports such as uh the utility of most of the servers, uh well, all of the servers, saying as most of the servers that we have currently are not even being operated near capacity, as well as data from sensors installed to monitor the environment, which keep the community informed on the impact of the data center on their lives instead of relying on words which all too often have been hollow.

After all, we wouldn't want to repeat of the data center debacle debacle in Memphis.

This will be a step forward to ensuring this never happens again, and that's all for me.

Thank you very much.

Go ahead and come on forward.

You're recognized.

Hello, my name is Olivia Melita.

Uh I live in District 17, and I support Bill 2026 1391.

The ideal scenario with there to be no data centers at all, but with this bill, the overall harm imposed by these centers is mitigated.

And the people recognize that AI benefits no one except the tech oligarchs and their and anybody on their bankroll.

And any part in the progress of AI is an unmistakable betrayal against the American people that we won't forget.

There are 546,890 signatures on a change.org petition opposing the Sioux Data Center and 17,459 signatures opposing the Fisk University Data Center.

You're a public servants, you're supposed to act in the interest of the people with this bill.

I call on you to not so say so shamelessly sell out Nashville.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead.

My name is Taylor Darden from District 28, and I am here in support of B L 2026 1391.

And I would just like to say that as human beings, we are the only species that has the willingness and ability to deliberately use our resources in such a negative capacity.

There are thousands of species in the state of Tennessee, and over 350 of them represented in the Nashville zoo alone.

And while I think as my predecessor said, uh it would be great to have no data centers at all, putting one anywhere in a community, anywhere near the animals and those that cannot speak for themselves is an egregious error and uh should be opposed.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Um could you please share your ticket number?

31.

31, okay.

Thank you, sir.

Alright, my name's Ezra Howard.

I live in District 22.

Um, I think what this whole debacle sort of illustrates here is this is a lot of reaction.

Like even this legislation, while I support it, I think it's good, and I think there's you've gotten a lot of good feedback on things to make it stronger tonight.

Um it shows it's we're all reacting to things.

And even the ad hoc, you know, previous 43-ish items that are a bunch of zoning, that's an ad hoc sort of approach.

Um, so we need to really think about, and I want to impress upon you like a proactive approach to zoning on this, like just all of Nashville.

We downzoned like the almost the entire city in the nineties, and we really need to think about like what is a human-centered housing centered approach to zoning that can get us to the affordability that we want, and not just sort of picking at the margins would do this th lot, then that lot, and then we're found flat footed with you know a data center that we didn't think of, you know, ahead of time.

And not only that, uh just because I have a minute left, um, because I don't have prepared notes.

I really just wanted to take a picture of my kid with with foe's resolution.

Um, that uh there seems to be need to be better lines of communication between the administration and council, too, because like this was at least on some level known by the administration, and this could have been brought a lot sooner, in my opinion.

I don't know the back end stuff.

You guys can talk that out.

But um, yeah, this seems to keep happening where someone knows something, but it's not making it down the line to legislation.

So I think that needs to be in you know improved either, both on your side and the administration's side, because it just between this and the boring company, because it's it has you know a lot of sort of reverberations of that story, too.

It just needs to be, you know, proactive and not reactive.

So thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead.

A lot of people out there, so good luck.

Yeah, go ahead and come on forward.

You're recognized.

Hi, I'm Carolina Sears.

I'm resident of District 10, and I'm also an environmental justice advocate here in Nashville.

I'm in support of the regulation on B with BL 2026 1391 with some caveats, but before I share those, I really want to urge our city council to legislate for policies promoting clean air in Nashville.

I am someone who suffers from a severe lung condition as a CF carrier and with severe asthma, and I already struggle to breathe healthily in this county.

According to the 2026 American Lung Association State of the Air, we are the 39th most polluted city in particle pollution, and we have a failing grade when it comes to federal air standards.

Data centers have a reputation for being bad for clean air and water, but with regulation, their impacts can be ameliorated.

I suggest that the city council consider these amendments to the existing bill.

Renewable energy.

Encourage the use of it to power data centers, the more of it the better.

However, due to the state's peculiar definition of renewable energy, I would encourage explicit language that specifies wind and solar energy and not fossil fuels such as natural gas.

I could sign co-sign what others have said about the distance between data centers and places like residences, parks, schools, et cetera.

They need to be farther away from people where people and animals live and patron.

Lastly, portable fossil fuel turbines.

Don't allow the data centers to use them.

They are heavily polluting, and our friends in Memphis dealing with XAI could tell you all about how they are bad for our air and our health.

And please remember as you legislate, clean air is not optional.

It is a human right.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead, sir.

You recognize.

Hi, I'm Dan Jarenko, District 6.

I represent Climate Nashville, attesting Interfaith Power and Light and the Creation Care Ministries of the Tennessee Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Three organizations and a lot of folks.

Um TBA just released its IRP.

It's an integrated resource plan.

It has a potential massive natural gas build out due to data centers, which would essentially decimate any chance to decarbonize Tennessee and for Nashville to meet its uh carbon goals.

So our organizations would really like to, we really commend the work that's been done, and we really appreciate the work that's been done, but we'd like to see this strengthened to make sure that data centers, if they are going to be built out, are built out in ways that um have renewable energy and don't have portable gas turbines.

I do a lot of work in Memphis and that's a disaster.

We don't want that to see that happen here in Nashville.

And so for climate reasons and environmental justice reasons, we just uh would we appreciate the work, but would urge you to strengthen uh the legislation.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Uh go ahead and come forward.

You're recognized.

Good evening.

My name is Jana Nynus, and I am a resident of Nashville in District 30.

I'm here this evening to speak in support of Councilmember Horton's legislation, BL 2026 1391 to restrict and regulate data centers.

I live within five minutes of the zoo.

Uh, so the proposed data center will directly affect me and my neighbors.

DC Blocks has said they'll build a quiet data center at only 50 megawatts, but there are data centers in northern Georgia, southwest Michigan, and Texas that are 30 megawatts, and residents there are registering 60 decibels as a consistent noise.

Consistent noise at this level has been proven to affect mental health and humans and well-being.

Uh, and not to mention the effect it has on animals and pets who have been more sensitive hearing than we do.

That is this is only one of the many concerns that I have.

I don't have time to speak on the severe environmental effects uh or unnecessary water usage.

Um, or the increased electricity bills, which I don't want.

Uh and even if DC blocks addresses all of these issues, uh, which I don't trust most hard as I could throw them.

The constant pushing and the no means yes attitude is predatory and unwelcome.

To the council members that have shown support for this legislation.

Thank you for showing you care about us.

Uh, and for the council members that have not yet shown your support, um, we see you and we'll know who to vote out next.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead and come on forward.

Um, could you share your ticket number, please?

Hi, yes, 35.

Okay, thank you, sir.

Hi, my name is Wesley Porter, and I live in Council District 19.

Um, and I'm here today to voice my support for BL 2026 1391.

Um, I urge the city council to enact common sense regulations around large-scale data centers like the one endangering the zoo and at FISC.

I work in tech.

Uh, the proliferation of data centers should not be decided solely by those who profit from them.

Large-scale data centers are not inevitable.

We have a choice.

We do not have to accept a future of increased energy costs, pollution, and most importantly, harm to our overall community.

Our community shouldn't bear the cost for the expedient personal enrichment of a few.

This is a non-partisan issue.

I strongly encourage the council to listen to the unified voice of the community.

Support and pass Beal 2026 1391 into law.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead and come on forward.

And if folks could come up a little bit closer to the podium and that way we can just rotate right on through.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Hi.

Uh, my name is Grace Wegner.

I'm a uh resident of East Nashville in District 6.

Um, and I strongly support uh BL2026 1391.

Um, I concur with what has been said so far.

I believe data centers don't belong anywhere in Nashville at all, but if they are built, they must be subject to strict regulation and oversight to avoid the catastrophic impacts to residents, animals, and natural areas that you've been hearing about tonight.

We cannot let technological growth come at the expense of working people and our environment.

Um thank you to all the sponsors of this bill.

Um I hope those who are undecided will prioritize the people of Nashville and support it.

Thank you very much.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Good evening.

My name is Winston Wellington Wright, a proud alumni of Fisk University Class of 2017, and tonight I'm here to speak in support of BL 1391 and to ask you all to ensure the legislation remains strong enough to protect North Nashville from the proposed 30 megawatt data center shell at Fisk University.

A few weeks ago, I created a petition against the proposed data center at FISC that has gained over 17,000 signatures, as mentioned earlier.

I want to be clear that despite the rhetoric being shared by some officials across the city, FISC does not want a data center on campus.

The Fisk University Administration and Board of Trustees may have interest in placing a potentially harmful and destructive building in the heart of 37208, but many alumni, residents, and students have no interest in being the test subjects for a potential quote unquote do no harm experiment when communities across the country have been fighting back against these buildings that have been making everyday people sick.

And while I know many of you may be in support of this ordinance, I have to call out the optics that are played.

Currently, it appears as if Nashville cares more about animals than we do about the residents of North Nashville, many of whom have already been impacted by other forms of harmful infra infrastructure like Interstate 40, which has forced current and former residents to live with a legacy of intentional harm, displacement, and health impacts that still have not been solved for.

Allowing the Fisk University administration to build a data center of the proposed size and power usage would exacerbate and be a continuation of the historic and current harm done on the neighborhood.

Again, the FISC community does not want this data center.

This is why I'm asking you all to reinforce through this ordinance protections that will hold the current university administration accountable and make no exceptions to allowed a large AI data center in 37208.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Wright.

Go ahead, sir.

You recognize.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is Scott Hefflinger.

I reside in the Union Hill region of Northern Davidson County, and I'm here representing myself, but as well the Middle Tennessee group of the CR Club.

We believe that data centers are a necessity for the future of our nation as a leader in technology, but we must develop reasonable rules and regulations to accommodate the infrastructure relating to these centers at no matter their size.

Data centers are not simply another warehouse or office building.

They are a new class of critical infrastructure.

Although this is not a decision directly on the table tonight, we strongly believe that placing a data center near our zoo that could be expanded to quite a large footprint is not in the best interest of all the residents of Davidson County, in addition to the zoo itself.

Now there's an opportunity to be a leader in developing rules and regulations that go beyond this to be more comprehensive in overall consideration of all resources, including water resources and pollution.

Many data centers across the nation have been consuming water at an alarming rate, even those that say they are recycling the water or discharging polluting water into sewer systems or natural streams.

Electrical needs, including grip grid risk and effects on TVA, carbon emissions throughout the region, air emissions from all sources, particularly emissions producing turbines, noise, including all sensitive animals at risk, use of re renewable energy sources in lieu of conventional sources that increase greenhouse gases, land use, long-term and comprehensive impacts.

Given the above, we believe that a comprehensive set of new zoning regulations is needed, and that BL 2026, 1391 could be a start with additional requirements to better serve the needs of the community in the future.

An option would be to impose a moratorium while those improved regulations are finalized.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Go ahead, sir.

You're recognized.

Hello.

The night before the last one of these public hearings, I weirdly had a conversation with Jeff Up Hughes, the CEO of DC Blocks, and I asked him to convince me.

I asked him what's in this for me.

How is this project going to positively impact my life?

Long story short, he completely failed to convince me in any way.

Um I'm even more skeptical about his honesty now.

This is extremely subjective.

Um, but I'm completely skeptical about his honesty.

Um maybe the more objective takeaway from the conversation is that uh yeah, there is no uh upside to this.

These companies don't come here, you know, to improve our lives, they come here to make money.

Um, among the crazy things he said at one point was that his priorities are uh his employees, his uh clients, and then his investors in that order.

So I waited to see if he would.

I let him dig his own grave a little, waited to see if he would say the community or consent, didn't occur to him.

So that's the kind of person we're dealing with.

Um, there's a lot I could share about the conversation.

He's talked at me for like 30 minutes straight, I barely got a word in.

And he uh sounds just dead set on this project going through no matter what.

He said they've already put too much time into it, etc.

etc.

etc.

And um he let's see.

Well, I just want people to keep in mind, these people lie, they lie all the time.

I mean, the president lies now, and no one blinks an eye.

Uh he one thing he was harping over and over again is how this is not that kind of data center, we're not that kind of company, but that's probably what they told everyone in Memphis.

Um his website says they're gonna be AI ready, uh whatever that means.

Um, and then um he is trying to be that kind of company, so uh full skepticism.

Don't trust these people, thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Could you share your ticket number, please?

Um, I'm number 40.

Take it number 40.

Okay, thank you.

Go ahead.

Okay, thank you for recognizing me.

My name is Andrea Young.

I am a former zookeeper at the Nashville Zoo, and I'm also a current master's degree candidate at Harvard University in the field of conservation biology.

And I do appreciate y'all for letting me speak here, and I appreciate the care that I see that you are putting into this project.

I have a short story for you.

The Great Oak, it was a flightless bird, similar to the penguin that lived in the North Atlantic until 1844.

John Branson, C.

Gujar Isle, and Keitil Ketcherson are remembered as the three men that were directly responsible for the extinction of the Great Ock.

I bring up this tragedy to highlight the sim to highlight a similarity.

So, in addition to its threat to the zoo and to the community, the data center is a direct threat to the Nashville Crayfish, which is a federally protected species that lives only in a handful of tributaries near the planned location.

It is found nowhere else in the world.

It's a very small creature, but it's ours.

Not Tennessee, but Nashville is its only home.

So members of this council and any representatives of DC blocks that may be present or watching, I want you to take a second and think about your names.

Because you could in the very near future be named alongside the aforementioned men as humans who directly facilitated the extinction of a species.

So please do your part to prevent or relocate this data center by strengthening the regulations of the proposed bill by fighting for enforceable safeguards with real penalties.

This should include prevention of any data center related pollution of the Mill Creek tributaries.

So I ask the voting members in this room to ask yourselves, will you be remembered as someone that facilitated the extinction of an entire species or as someone who did everything to protect one of God's and Nashville's fragile creatures?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

Hi, my name is Laura Conwell.

I'm actually a resident of Greenbrier, but I've been going to the Nashville Zoo for over 20 years, so I hope you'll still hear me out today.

Executive Order 59 highlighted four areas concerning the data center development infrastructure, environment, economy, and community.

Infrastructure, in January of this year, at one point in time, over 230,000 citizens were without power, and some for over two weeks.

DC Blocks says they will pay for power used, and while that feels like it should be, it doesn't have to be said.

Um, what is the plan when that power quite literally is not there?

For environmental concerns, we don't know.

Unfortunately, the tech industry standard of move fast and break things is now encompassing our community.

Tennesseans are expected to be involuntary guinea pigs in a real-time study of the ecological consequences of AI data centers.

Fifty-five percent of those that support AI data centers cite job growth.

Companies like DC blocks themselves will admit that they do not offer that many jobs.

In fact, the permit for this data center cited 25 expected jobs.

Yesterday, Microsoft laid off over 4,500 employees citing that AI is changing how things are done.

For community, I think I will let the unprecedented number of citizens who have arrived here today to show their support for this item to speak for themselves.

And lastly, while I was looking over data for this, I was on Facebook and I saw comments from other cities where they had held protests against data centers.

And one comment I saw was I wish our governments cared for us like Nashville's does.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead, sir, your recon asked.

Hi, thank you, and Vice Mayor and Reps.

You're all doing great.

Uh my name's Steven Mason.

I live in uh District 5.

I'm grateful to be represented by Sean Parker who wields a chainsaw like Jimi Hendrix played guitar.

Uh this was all because of the power issues in the trees.

So shout out to you, Sean.

Uh I um I own a one-chair barbershop in District 17, ONSC.

Uh I support both these bills and per previous speakers believe this is a good start, but given that lawyers for this development lied about permits in hand, and billionaires say this is inevitable.

I can tell we're in this for the long haul, so uh courage, and uh I support this bill.

Thank you so much.

Go ahead, your recon asked.

Good evening.

My name is Danielle Carone.

I am a resident of District 19, and I grew up in Franklin, Tennessee.

I am a professional mechanical engineer, a lead accredited professional, and a certified decarbonization professional.

I am speaking in strong support of BL2026 1391.

This bill establishes a strong framework for all future data centers, and it represents a giant step in the right direction.

The zoo presents an opportunity to learn about where data centers should and should not go, and what sort of legislation should be established for them.

That said, I have a couple of suggestions for potential amendments to the bill.

The purpose of a site assessment, according to LEED, which considers it a core essential requirement, is to protect the health of vulnerable populations by ensuring that the site is assessed for environmental contamination and that any environmental contem contamination has been remediated.

I believe this should be considered in the amendment in future amendments.

In the case of the zoo, while a human can choose to rationalize or adapt to a constant mechanical hum, the captive and endangered species at the Nashville Zoo cannot.

The best estimate of how an animal will react to new sounds comes from those who study the most.

That would be the employees of the Nashville Zoo.

I believe that there should be more collaboration between future data centers and the communities with which it is adjacent to.

While it is true, not all data centers are the same, they all still consume massive amounts of power, and electricity equals heat, meaning thermal plumes form around them.

Eliminating water cooling does not eliminate environmental impact, it simply transforms it into a larger power load that comes with a higher chemical or atmospheric leak risk.

And the bill addresses this very well by requiring closed looped cooling systems.

In the future, it may be wise to establish more stringent maintenance requirements to prevent groundwater pollution from these systems when replacing them.

Data centers are a meaningful piece of modern infrastructure.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I appreciate you coming out.

Go ahead, your recognized.

Uh hello, my name is Jimmy Sears, and I live in District 10.

I think it's very good that Metro Council is setting standards for data centers.

Uh, but I would like to humbly recommend three changes.

Number one, for clarity that the acceptable renewable energy sources be comprehensively listed, uh, that the distance uh from data centers to residential areas be increased, and that there be very strict and very clear limits on any on-site emissions producing generators or ideally uh no uh on-site emissions producing generators.

Uh thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you very much.

Go ahead.

You come forward, you're recognized.

Hi there.

Uh, my name is Wendy Timmons.

I live in District 23, and for whatever it's worth, I work in District 21.

Um, I am in support of this bill, but I want to please urge you all to keep pushing.

Um, it's not enough for us to say not in my backyard.

These data centers don't really have a place in Tennessee.

As people living and working in Nashville, as people serving Nashville, uh the capital of Tennessee, we really have an opportunity here to lead the entire state and how the state approaches data centers, their construction, their location, so on and so forth.

Um, thank you for putting this all together.

Thank you for your consideration.

The bill does take a lot of these things into consideration already.

Um, but please keep pushing.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Could you share your ticket number, please?

Yes.

46.

Ticket 46.

Okay, thank you.

Go ahead.

Good evening, and thank you for sticking with all these people.

I just wanted to say that I'm actually I might cry.

I have four grandchildren that love the zoo, and it would be devastating to them.

I'm from Williamson County, but they are Nashville's.

And I just really hope that people will understand that it's not only about the zoo, but it's about families.

And if you have grandchildren, I'm sure you take your children to the zoo.

I also want to say that I feel that Tennessee is a testing ground for these data centers.

And um, I read today that Black Rock has put 41 billion dollars, designated it for data centers.

And I just want you to keep that in mind, and that I hope we will not be a testing ground for these data centers.

Thank you.