The Wedgewood-Houston Chestnut Hill Planning Study was adopted by the Planning Commission on October 24, 2019. The study includes updates to community planning, land use, and street plans in the Wedgewood-Houston and Chestnut Hill neighborhoods.
The Wedgewood Houston and Chestnut Hill neighborhoods are in a NashvilleNext first tier center and are along two major transit corridors. Planners considered how preservation of light industrial jobs and expansion of urban manufacturing can support equitable development and sustain this neighborhood’s unique character.
This project, in partnership with the community, neighborhood organizations, and Councilmember Colby Sledge, began as part of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
WeHome: Engaging the community through narrative and podcasting
Our arts partners, Erica Ciccarone and SeedSpace, collected stories about the neighborhood. Compiled into a nine-episode podcast, WeHome asks two strangers to tour each other’s' lives, reflecting the variety of experiences in and around the area. Planners often hear these kinds of stories, but have difficulty conveying through planning documents. The WeHome podcast brings the richness of community dialogue to a broader audience.
In April 2018, the neighborhoods celebrated the WeHome Podcast with listening stations, podcast participants, three interactive artworks responding to themes in the podcast, and preliminary community engagement.
Study documents and links
- Wedgewood Houston Chestnut Hill Planning Study Document
- Summary of Character Areas 2 and 3 from the Plan
- Community Snapshot summarizes the study area demographics, current conditions, and prior plans
- Engagement Report details the way planners worked with neighborhood stakeholders
Implementation of the 2019 Planning Study
Wedgewood-Houston/Chestnut Hill Urban Design Overlay and Rezoning
Legislation Timeline: On June 8, 2021, the bill becomes effective following Metro Council Third Reading and Mayor’s signature.
The Wedgewood-Houston Chestnut Hill Urban Design Overlay has been developed as a tool to implement the guidelines of the 2019 Wedgewood-Houston Chestnut Hill Planning Study - especially concerns regarding housing affordability, displacement, and neighborhood character.
The objective of this urban design overlay is to incentivize contextual infill development, encourage a greater diversity in housing in both form and cost, and safeguard the unique sense of place characteristic of these neighborhoods.
Staff contact: Harriett Jameson Brooks
Zone Change in conjunction with Wedgewood-Houston Chestnut Hill Urban Design Overlay
Prior to 2021, most parcels within the Urban Design Overlay boundary are zoned R6 or R6-A, intended for low density single family or duplexes at one unit per 6,000 square feet. This zoning designation does not permit any multifamily with more than two units. In order to accommodate the increase of housing types and allow for multifamily housing, these properties are being "up-zoned" in conjunction with the overlay to enable it to meet its objectives. Currently, most residential properties are entitled to two units, once rezoned, they will be entitled to three to four units, depending on the property size.
View the Zone Change Map approved at the April 8, 2021 Metro Planning Commission Meeting.
Staff contact: Harriett Jameson Brooks