The Downtown Code’s Bonus Height Program was adopted along with the Downtown Code in 2010. It was designed as a voluntary program, available to properties zoned Downtown Code, that allowed projects to earn increased building height in exchange for the inclusion of identified public benefits within their development proposal. Today, there are 9 options available for projects to earn bonus height. By including any combination of these options within their development plans, a site can yield a corresponding amount of bonus height. When adopted in 2010, these bonus options reflected the identity and needs of Downtown Nashville as a central business and entertainment district.
June 2024 Update
In early 2024, Planning staff engaged Gensler and HR&A to conduct a Downtown Market Study and entitlements analysis to inform staff’s work on an update to the Downtown Code’s Bonus Height Program (BHP). The following work is currently underway:
- Task 1. Kick-off and Initial Outreach
- Task 2. Development Context
- Task 2.1. Real Estate Demand Analysis
- Task 2.2. Development Feasibility Modeling
- Task 3. Testing the Economics of Current and Proposed Entitlements
- Task 4. Scenario Testing and Recommendations
As of June 2024, the consultants are expected to complete this work on schedule by the end of July 2024. Following the completion of the market study, Planning Staff will update the draft BHP amendment, seek additional stakeholder feedback, and solicit public comment. The amendment will then be brought to the Metro Planning Commission for consideration – tentatively scheduled for October 24, 2024.
Summer 2023 Draft Amendment and Engagement Summary
The Metro Nashville Planning Department released a draft amendment to the Downtown Code’s Bonus Height Program (BHP) in early May, 2023. This first draft evolves the program to align with current and future downtown priorities that aim to raise the bar for downtown development projects. Several weeks of intense public and stakeholder feedback are summarized in the engagement summary document.
- Draft Amendment Engagement Summary
- Downtown Code Bonus Height Program Amendment Draft Summary
- Downtown Code Bonus Height Program Amendment Draft Full Text
May 2023 Public Open House
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Planning Staff hosted an open house to share the proposed amendment to the Bonus Height Program. A short presentation, linked below, was given, before open discussion was held.
Public Meeting Presentation, May 17, 2023
Planning Commission Work Session
On March 7, 2023, the Metropolitan Planning Commission held a work session to discuss the patterns and trends that have emerged from the program over the last decade. Additionally, preliminary thoughts and ideas related to a potential update of the program were presented. An update would reframe the program around today’s priorities, including those identified in NashvilleNext (2016) and the Downtown Community Plan (2015).
Metro Planning Commission Work Session Presentation, March 7, 2023
Get in Touch
For general questions or inquiries, please contact Jared Islas.
If you are a member of the development community, and would like to speak with Staff regarding your initial thoughts, current or future implications of the proposed amendment, or other general feedback, please contact Jared Islas to set up a meeting.