News Summary
Southeast Nashville residents are advocating for a more active role in shaping housing developments in the Glencliff neighborhood. Community member Troy Zavitson leads an initiative to survey residents about their housing preferences. Supported by Metro Councilwoman Ginny Welsch, the survey aims to address concerns about a recent zoning proposal. As Nashville faces a housing shortage amid rising prices and gentrification, community input is essential to ensure developments reflect local needs and preserve neighborhood character.
SE Southeast Nashville residents are actively pushing for a greater role in the decision-making process regarding housing developments in the Glencliff neighborhood. In response to a recent zoning proposal and to ensure their preferences are considered, community member Troy Zavitson is leading an initiative to create a survey aimed at gathering input on various housing options.
A zoning proposal hearing affecting a significant plot of land between I-440 and Thompson Lane was held in April, revealing a gap in awareness among residents. Zavitson emphasized the importance of this community survey to collect opinions on preferred housing types for any potential developments on the property. He believes that fostering awareness and engagement can strengthen neighborhood camaraderie.
Metro Councilwoman Ginny Welsch has expressed her support for the survey and will incorporate the findings into the upcoming planning commission meeting related to the property. This collaboration seeks to ensure that the voices of residents are heard in the context of ongoing discussions about housing development in the area.
Additionally, a newly commissioned Housing and Infrastructure Study for Nashville aims to propose zoning changes that would allow for increased housing density. The study, ordered by Metro Council, has determined that Nashville will need between 90,000 to 120,000 new homes over the next ten years to meet growing demand. Current projections suggest that the city is only on track to construct approximately 70,000 new homes in the same timeframe.
According to Greg Claxton, project leader for the Housing and Infrastructure Study, the demand for housing is largely driven by population growth and shifts in living arrangements following the pandemic. The study’s recommendations are in alignment with the 2015 Nashville Next plan, which calls for developing neighborhood centers along major corridors connected by public transit. Claxton underscored the significance of comprehensive planning in addressing the diverse needs and concerns of the community, particularly regarding the implications of increased housing density along main roads.
However, not all residents are optimistic about potential changes. Concerned resident Charles McDaniels articulated fears that the flexibility of new zoning regulations could accelerate gentrification and significantly alter the character of the neighborhood. McDaniels pointed to the rising home prices in the area and the impact these changes could have on long-term residents who have been living there for years.
The Housing and Infrastructure Study is designed to tackle community concerns while fulfilling the urgent need for housing in Nashville. This is crucial because Nashville has been identified as experiencing some of the most intense gentrification in the United States from 2010 to 2020, as reported by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. The coalition’s study revealed that 99% of Nashville’s neighborhoods are considered unaffordable for Black and Hispanic families when evaluated against median income levels.
Indicators of gentrification in Nashville include sharply rising home values, increases in household incomes, and an influx of highly educated new residents. The rapid gentrification of neighborhoods has also led to significant demographic changes, particularly in areas that were historically majority Black. Census data indicates that four tracts in Nashville transitioned from majority Black populations to majority non-Black populations between 1980 and 2020, resulting in the loss of over 4,100 Black residents.
The report stresses that an increase in housing supply is one of the main drivers of gentrification, resulting in skyrocketing prices and displacing lower-income residents. In light of these findings, there is a growing call for enhanced community involvement in zoning discussions, stressing the necessity for developments that reflect the needs and concerns of local populations.
The Nashville Planning Department is committed to addressing rising housing prices and demand by implementing innovative housing development strategies while simultaneously improving local infrastructure. This approach seeks to balance the urgent need for new housing with the preservation of community integrity and inclusivity.
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Additional Resources
- WKRN: Glencliff Neighbors Want Housing Opinions Heard by Planning Leaders
- TN Tribune: Nashville Housing and Infrastructure Study
- Tennessean: Nashville Gentrification Most Intense in the USA
- Axios: Nashville Housing Study on Black and Hispanic Homeownership Gap
- News Channel 5: TSU Receives Grant for Affordable Housing Study
- Wikipedia: Housing in the United States
Author: HERE Nashville
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