The Sidewalk Foundation is pleased to announce four $500 micro-grants to be paid to those who build their own sidewalk in Nashville!

The Sidewalk Foundation is pleased to announce four $500 micro-grants to be paid to those who build their own sidewalk in Nashville!






The Sidewalk Foundation of Nashville is very thankful to have recently received two $1000 donations!  Thank you to those who are putting a donation behind the belief that it is our right to walk comfortably and safely in this city. 


We are turning these donations directly around and are offering four $500 micro-grants to those who put in their own piece of sidewalk per Nashville's Public Works standards.

Two of these grants are being offered to those who live on Bowling Av as this is my sidewalk project # 1!  Bowling Av is getting a sidewalk extension from West End to Forest Park but, the remainder, to Woodmont, is not in the plan.  The first two homeowners who puts in their piece on Bowling will be awarded $500 from The Sidewalk Foundation.  The additional two grants will be opened up to anyone of Nashville who does the same. 

***

I want to remind Nashville that we have a long history of neighbors pitching in to complete wanted projects.  Woodmont Blvd was the first paved road in Nashville AND it was funded by those who lived in the neighborhood (in 1914!!!). 

Most likely understand, as disappointing as this is, that our city cannot fund all needed sidewalks in a timely way.  The estimate to completion date for Nashville's sidewalk network, at our current pace, is 1000 years from now.  If we truly want walkability, we will all need to help.  

To make a donation: 

 http://thesidewalkfoundation.org/ 

Please contact us if interested in a $500 grant for sidewalk production per Public Works standards: 

 thesidewalkfoundation@gmail.com

***

3 Easy Ways to Support NEW SIDEWALKS in NASHVILLE!

Shade Parade Nashville and The Sidewalk Foundation of Nashville are working hand in hand to raise money for NEW SIDEWALKS.  At this time, we have two $500 micro-grants available for those who put in their own piece. 

We'd like to do more!

You can help by:

• donating directly to The Sidewalk Foundation of Nashville -  100% goes directly to NEW SIDEWALKS
• purchase from Boon Supply - Sidewalks of Nashville - 50% of purchase goes directly to NEW SIDEWALKS

Coming soon:  Native TN Echinacea plants!  This fall, I will be selling these beauties to raise more money for NEW SIDEWALKS.   

The details of how a loved one passed while biking or as a pedestrian is telling.  As reported by NPR this week, about half of these cases are not even reported

'I looked for any details, any scraps of acknowledgment from the world, about my brother’s existence and passing. It was not headline news in LA; I don’t think it made it into the LA Times or onto the evening news'.

To read, please click on LINK:
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/06/25/please-try-to-look-squarely-at-the-crisis-of-traffic-fatalities/

Kirsten Brewer and her brother Tom. Photo: Kirsten Brewer

About 40,000 Americans lost their lives in traffic crashes last year. Traffic violence is a public health crisis. But we rarely hear from the people who lose loved ones, who mostly suffer in silence. We invited readers to share their experiences of coping with devastating loss caused by traffic collisions. Kirsten Brewer responded with this essay.


In 2016 my brother Tom was biking home in Los Angeles. He took a street that I would learn is quiet for LA, but statistically deadly for bicyclists and pedestrians. At about 6 p.m. on this particular Saturday, a drunk driver in a box truck careened down a side street, hitting parked cars before killing my brother at an intersection. He was 26.


That first night after I got the call I was shocked and frightened. My brother was already dead, yet I was scared of what was to come. We had few details that first night, and my recollection is fuzzy. Trauma affects your memory.


We weren’t quite sure that it was a drunk driver. We didn’t know it was a truck. We didn’t know where exactly my brother was in LA. 


It was late in the East and there was nothing I could do. I tried to sleep; I could not at first. The fear felt like I was on the edge of a tremendous pit. It was inevitable that I would fall into this pit. I worried that my brother had suffered. I worried that the crash had been gruesome. Most of all I feared what would follow when that pit of grief sucked me in. I had no idea what was to come for me or my family. 


Over the following weeks I went through the rituals of unexpected death. I called friends and family to inform them; then I texted and emailed others because the conversation became unbearable.
I looked for any details, any scraps of acknowledgment from the world, about my brother’s existence and passing. It was not headline news in LA; I don’t think it made it into the LA Times or onto the evening news. My small, hometown newspaper back East did a cover story. They interviewed my dad and photographed him in his apartment in front of a wall of photos and my brother’s artwork. 

Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry Sparks Research & Discussion

Incredibly proud that this work is being used for further research and to spark discussion.   We need this. 


Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry.org was created spring 2017 as a joint project to further investigation of how people die while walking in our city.  As with most things, the more you learn about the subject, the more complicated and interesting it becomes... 


Anthony and I both knew that the stories were more detailed compared to what we read in news and police reports.  The map of pedestrian deaths is also very different from what we were hearing as assumed trouble spots.


Favorite quotes from article from NPR below:

• 45 percent of pedestrian fatalities go unreported in local news outlets, and that when they do, the details provided by police and journalists may be contributing to misperceptions about why pedestrians die.
• Last year was the deadliest on record for the city, with 23 killed
• Initial traffic crash reports don’t seek many details about victims on foot — often only whether the person was in a crosswalk or wearing dark clothing.  Those limited details, without more context, could lead to “victim blaming”
• The researchers examined news articles, finding them “jarringly” formulaic, often completely composed of the routine facts that are included in federal crash reporting forms. That can leave out details about the victim, and context about the quality of sidewalks and crosswalks, street lighting, other infrastructure and road conditions.
• “Media plays a big part in how we have public perceptions about public safety issues,” Robinson said, adding, “there’s very little coverage of infrastructure at all.”

***

To Read or Listen to this article, click the LINK:  http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/tsu-researchers-pedestrian-deaths-are-misunderstood-part-because-police-and-journalists#stream/0

Credit Tony Gonzalez / WPLN

TSU Researchers: Pedestrian Deaths Are Misunderstood, In Part Because Of Police And Journalists 
  

6/27/2018

Researchers at Tennessee State University say they’ve found shortcomings in how pedestrian deaths are documented and reported through local news outlets.

In a study presented Tuesday (PDF), the pair of researchers said they found that roughly 45 percent of pedestrian fatalities go unreported in local news outlets, and that when they do, the details provided by police and journalists may be contributing to misperceptions about why pedestrians die.

Anthony Campbell, assistant professor of public administration, said he decided to investigate walking deaths because he’d picked up on some misunderstandings while compiling stories of local victims for the Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry.

Last year was the deadliest on record for the city, with 23 killed.

Anecdotally, people didn’t understand where these were happening, or why.

“People tend to say, ‘Oh, well, down on Broadway or something? People get drunk, come here …’ ” he said. “And that’s not. None happen there. Mainly because cars aren’t going fast enough. And then when you look where we found deaths are occurring are out at the perimeter, where people are having to walk home or go from point A to point B and there isn’t a sidewalk.”

Stats provided last year by Walk Bike Nashville show the most deaths (12) occurred on Old Hickory Boulevard, followed by Gallatin and Main Street in East Nashville (11), Murfreesboro Pike (11) and Nolensville Pike (8). 

To read the remainder of the article, please click on link above

***

If you know someone who has perished on foot in Nashville, please contact us.  We would like to talk to you.

https://www.nashvillepedestriandeathregistry.org/

Want More Sidewalks in Nashville AND Need A Gift - easy way to do both!

Want More Sidewalks in Nashville AND Need A Gift - easy way to do both!

LINK: 

https://www.boonsupply.com/collections/all?fundraiser=88177

Want more sidewalks in Nashville AND need a gift?  Half of your purchase with Boon Supply Company will go to supporting NEW sidewalk production in Nashville.  Currently, I am proud to say that The Sidewalk Foundation has two $500 grants available for homeowners who build their own piece of new sidewalk.  Your purchase can help us give out more! 

For direct donation --- http://thesidewalkfoundation.org/


#NashvilleNeedsSidewalks 
#FoundOnFoot 
#DontLetNashvilleBuildersTalkYouOutOfPuttingInSidewalks

***

'You Have To Start Somewhere' - Appreciative of Each and Every Piece of Sidewalk in Nashville!

'You Have To Start Somewhere' - Appreciative of Each and Every Piece of Sidewalk in Nashville!

***

Lately, I have been LOVING the sight of 'sidewalks to nowhere'.  Little pieces are popping up thanks to The Sidewalk Bill 493 which went into effect about one year ago thanks to Councilperson Angie Henderson's hard work and commitment. 


I'm glad, too, that there has been a bit of media interest on the topic.  A few favorite quotes from a recent piece on WKRN news by Nick Caloway:

• Nora Kern, executive director of Walk Bike Nashville, hopes that as the city continues to grow eventually those sidewalks will connect. "I'm really excited when I see sidewalks being built where they never had before," Kern said. "You have to start somewhere."
• Councilwoman Henderson, who represents Metro Council District 34 in the Green Hills area, said this legislation should have been passed a half-century ago. But, she insists, better late than never.

please click on link to read the story and watch the video:  https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville-has-more-sidewalks-a-year-after-builders-face-fees/1247806971


Nashville has more sidewalks now, but some go nowhere
By:   Nick Caloway

Posted: Jun 18, 2018 10:46 PM CDT

Updated: Jun 18, 2018 10:52 PM CDT

It's been nearly a year since a rule encouraging developers to build sidewalks went into effect in Nashville.
The ordinance, sponsored by Councilwoman Angie Henderson, was approved last April and took effect last July.
The measure forces builders of new homes in certain areas to either build sidewalks out front or pay a fee in lieu of the sidewalk construction.


"So if you have an immediate abutting sidewalk right next to you, we encourage you to build," said Henderson. "But if you do not, and it would be a disconnected segment, you can choose to pay the fee in lieu of construction. It's the builder's choice."
It was an effort to improve walkability in Nashville, which lacks sidewalks along roughly half of the city's roads.
Some builders choose to pay the fee, while others build so-called "sidewalks to nowhere," which end at the property line and do not connect to other walkways.


Nora Kern, executive director of Walk Bike Nashville, hopes that as the city continues to grow eventually those sidewalks will connect. "I'm really excited when I see sidewalks being built where they never had before," Kern said. "You have to start somewhere."
Councilwoman Henderson, who represents Metro Council District 34 in the Green Hills area, said this legislation should have been passed a half-century ago. But, she insists, better late than never.

***

Shade Parade Nashville is a collection of documents dedicated to fostering a conversation around walkability issues in our city.

If you are interested, please follow, comment or share

***

Dying While Walking: Interrogating Media Coverage of Pedestrian Deaths in the United States - this TUESDAY!!!

I'm so excited to help spread the word that on Tuesday, June 26th, 2018, Anthony Campbell is giving an important talk about how pedestrian deaths are reported in the media. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dying-while-walking-interrogating-media-coverage-of-pedestrian-deaths-in-the-united-states-tickets-46860192096 


This has been a hot topic in the pedestrian advocacy world as so often the factual details of what occurred are reduced to 1) was the pedestrian in a crosswalk,  2) was the pedestrian wearing dark clothing and 3) was alcohol or drugs involved.  He and I both felt strongly there must be a deeper story with these deaths, more complex, and leaning heavily on how people actually live crossed with infrastructure and policy.  With this in mind, we started Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry to track these deaths in Nashville.  

Now, Anthony, along with Cara Robinson,  have developed a talk entitled Dying While Walking: Interrogating Media Coverage of Pedestrian Deaths in the United States.  Anthony is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Tennessee State University, a good friend and my partner at Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry.org. His research focuses on the lived experience of citizen-government relationships and the qualitative dimensions of how humans interact with the built environment. As an avid cyclist, Anthony has first-hand exposure to the importance of a safe transportation infrastructure. 


I'm so pleased and proud of the work he is accomplishing and hope you will make time for this interesting talk. 

Date and Time

Tue, June 26, 2018
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CDT

Location

Tennessee State University Avon Williams Campus (Downtown)
330 10th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203

Description

Join us for the presentation, Dying While Walking: Interrogating Media Coverage of Pedestrian Deaths in the United States by Anthony Campbell, PhD and Cara Robinson, PhD of Tennessee State University's College of Public Service (description below).

Bring your own lunch and meet us at the Avon Williams campus of Tennessee State University campus in Training Room #2 from noon to 1pm. See you there!

In recent years, a wide array of policy and technological innovations have been introduced in order to lower individuals’ risk of dying while driving. At the same time, there has been an increased risk of dying while walking. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the number of pedestrians killed in the U.S. had the biggest ever single-year increase in 2016 – 5,997 (an 11% increase from 2015). Moreover, there was a nearly 25% increase in the 5-year span from 2012 to 2016. This increase in pedestrian deaths has resulted in public and nonprofit organizations developing strategies to improve pedestrian safety. One of those strategies has been the widespread deployment of educational campaigns to raise awareness about pedestrian deaths and ways to enhance safety. Juxtaposed to these campaigns has been the media’s coverage of pedestrian deaths, which are largely a product of police reports. Given the theoretical models related to the media’s disproportionate impact on public opinions, as well as the media’s and public’s impact on public policy decisions, it is necessary to interrogate how the media impacts the portrayal of pedestrian deaths in the United States. Utilizing media content analysis, and drawing upon media reports (from 2012 to 2016) in five large U.S. cities and one county, this research helps illuminate the role the media plays in constructing the narratives surrounding pedestrian deaths, and ultimately pedestrian safety. These narratives impact urban design and public policy decision-making related to pedestrian infrastructure and public safety. The media’s coverage of pedestrian deaths deserves interrogation, because as Malcom X powerfully avers, “The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power.

***

NASHVILLE'S Board of Zoning Appeals - Sidewalk Variances, Outcomes, FOR YOUR REVIEW - is your neighborhood missing out?

Why does Nashville have so few sidewalks compared to sister cities with a similar population?  We have wide support for sidewalks both politically and on the citizen level.  We have local issues that argue strongly for need:  a high rate of pedestrian fatalities, traffic, an elevated burden of obesity, a large city/county design encompassing 532 sq miles, lack of access/consistency and our fair share of poor air quality days. 

A fixable issue we face in sidewalk production is the numerous variances requested each and every month through the Board of Zoning.  These requests are literally robbing neighborhoods of sidewalks legally promised through Sidewalk Bill 493.  If you want sidewalks -> this is a place for YOU to act. 

Sidewalk Bill Cheat Sheet

What you NEED TO KNOW is that once a piece of sidewalk goes on your block face, the In-Lieu fee is no longer applicable.  The next sidewalk has to go in.  The city also prioritizes 'gaps' and - et viola - you have your sidewalk.   

In an attempt to make these sidewalk variance requests less frequent and more public, I will publish them along with the outcome on this blog. 

BZA Results

4/5/2018

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

P O BOX 196300

METRO OFFICE BUILDING

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37219-6300

9 sidewalk variance requested, 6 GRANTED (these are not good odds for sidewalks...)

 

CASE 2018-053 (Council District – 15)

1.  Michael and Karen Angarole, appellants and owners of the property located at 2124 Wooddale Lane, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the R15 District, to construct single family residence. Use-Single Family

RESULT –Deferred Indefinitely

CASE 2018-063 (Council District – 18)

2.  Dewey Engineering, appellant and ALL SEVENS, LLC, owner of the property located at 2909 12th Avenue S, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OR20 District, to construct a yoga studio.  Use-sidewalk, commercial building - Yoga studio 

RESULT-Granted with Conditions, granted with the condition that the applicant follows the alternative sidewalk designs approved by Planning.

CASE 2018-075 (Council District – 15)

3. Williams Fine Violin, appellant and Dustin & Nancy Williams, owners of the property located at 204 Donelson Pike, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements, to be allowed to pay into the sidewalk fund in lieu of construction.  Use-Sidewalk 
RESULT-Granted

CASE 2018-083 (Council District – 06)

4. Duane Cuthbertson, appellant and Magness Devco 2, owner of the property located at 1400 Ordway Place, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the R6 District, to construct a single family residence. Use-Single Family Residential

RESULT-Granted

CASE 2018-094 (Council District – 05)

5. Marsalias Teague, appellant and GREMADA INDUSTRIES, INC., owner of the property located at 20a and 20b Fern Ave, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the RM20-A District, to construct a new single family residence. Use-Duplex RESULT-Granted, appellant must dedicate right of way along the property frontage but does not have to pay the in-lieu fee

CASE 2018-097 (Council District – 21)

6.  Jorge Lopez, appellant and 1808 Pearl Street Partners, owner of the property located at 1806 & 1808 Pearl St., requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the R6 District to construct duplex. Use-Duplex

RESULT-Granted

CASE 2018-099 (Council District – 05)

7.  Jeri Howard, appellant and owner of the property located at 147 A&B Elmhurst Ave, requesting variances from front setback and sidewalk requirements in the R6-A District, to construct a new residence. Use-Duplex

RESULT-Deferred May 3, 2018

 

CASE 2018-102 (Council District – 32)

8.  Bradley Bork, appellant and Kimbro Family Properties, owner of the property located at 5272 Cane Ridge Road, requesting a variance for alternative sidewalk construction in the SCR District, to construct a 424 sq ft expansion to an existing conveinience store.  Use-Convenience Store

RESULT-Granted

CASE 2018-107 (Council District – 33)

9.  Brett Garrett, appellant and CH REALTY, owner of the property located at 3818 Logistics Way, requesting a variance from sidewalk in the IR District, to build a warehouse.  Use-Warehouse 

RESULT –Deferred 5/17/18

***

 

 

3/15/2018 - 14 sidewalk variances requested, 10/14 granted (THIS IS NOT A GOOD TREND!)

3/1/2018 - 4 sidewalk variances requests, all 4 granted

1. CASE 2018-020 (Council District – 17)  -
Gary Wisniewski, appellant and O.I.C 1001 Summit Avenue, owner of the property located at 1001 C Summit Avenue, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the District, to construct two single family residences, without construction of updated sidewalk.

RESULT-Denied


2. CASE 2018-036 (Council District – 33) -
Gary Bull, appellant and Tandem Investments, LLC, owner of the property located at 1436 Heil Quaker Blvd., requesting variance from sidewalk requirements, but not eligible to pay into the sidewalk fund in the IR District, to construct a new warehouse.


RESULT-Granted
3. CASE 2018-038 (Council District – 20) Joshua Bronleewe, appellant and Joshua Bronleewe, owner of the property located at 905 47th Avenue North, requesting variance from sidewalk requirements in the R6 District, to construct a single family residence.
RESULT –Granted, subject to the following conditions: The variance is granted for the portion of the frontage on 47th Avenue from the alley on the north end of the lot, down to the third of the three large trees along 47th Avenue. The variance is denied on the remaining frontage of the property.

4. CASE 2018-039 (Council District – 6) Vincent Morelli, appellant and Pantheon Development, LLC, owner of the property located at 114 Lindsley Park Dr., requesting variance from sidewalk requirements, requesting not to construct or contribute into the sidewalk fund in the R6 District, to construct two single family residences.
RESULT-Denied
5. CASE 2018-042 (Council District – 21) Chad Robbins, appellant and Bemsee, LLC, owner of the property located at 503 Spruce Street, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OR20 District, to construct a 1629 square foot second floor addition.
RESULT-Granted
6. CASE 2018-048 (Council District – 15)
Josh Randolph, appellant and Josh Randolph, owner of the property located at 294 B Mc Gavock Pike, requesting variance from sidewalk requirements in the R20 District, to construct a second unit of a duplex.
RESULT-Granted

7.CASE 2018-053 (Council District – 15)
Michael and Karen Angarole, appellants and owners of the property located at 2124 Wooddale Lane, requesting variance from sidewalk requirements in the R15 District, to construct single family residence.
RESULT-Deferred 8. CASE 2018-055 (Council District – 16)
Mike Donoho, appellant and International Church of foursquare gospel, owner of the property located at 2949 Nolensville Pike, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the CS District, to rehab an office building.
RESULT-Granted




9. CASE 2018-056 (Council District – 05)
Invent Communities, appellant and Invent Communities, owner of the property located at 908 Lischey Ave, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the SP District, to allow construction of townhomes.
RESULT-Granted





10. CASE 2018-059 (Council District – 19)
Willow Street Partners, appellant and owner of the property located at 65 Willow Street, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OV-UZO, IR District, to construct a 4,000 square foot warehouse.
RESULT-Granted




11. CASE 2018-060 (Council District – 22)
Brendan Boles, appellant and Michael D. Shmerling Partners, owner of the property located at 7025 Charlotte Pike, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the R40 District, for multifamily construction.
RESULT-Granted - The development will be behind Brookmeade School on a busy stretch of Charlotte

12. CASE 2018-062 (Council District – 20)
Jeff Parnell, appellant and Brian Chandler, owner of the property located at 525 Basswood Avenue, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the IWD District, for proposed boat storage facility.
RESULT-Granted




13. CASE 2018-063 (Council District – 18)
Dewey Engineering, appellant and All Sevens, LLC, owner of the property located at 2909 12th Ave. S, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OR20 District, to construct a yoga studio.
RESULT-Deferred April 5, 2018




14. CASE 2018-064 (Council District – 24)
Dewey Engineering, appellant and EBO PROPERTIES, GP, owner of the property located at 3813 ELKINS AVE, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the RS5 District, to construct a single family residence.
RESULT-Granted with Conditions: Granted variance for frontage on Elkins, but required payment into the sidewalk fund for 39th Avenue as indicated in Planning’s recommendations

***

It would be helpful to have a map of the sidewalk variances that are granted...is your neighborhood missing out?

***

Do Your Part - Build Your Sidewalk. Thank Others Who Do, Too.

Do Your Part:
Build your sidewalk, thank others who do, discourage builders from not wanting to and stop applying for sidewalk variance requests.

'One hundred new Nashvillians per day' is the often quoted number.  Essentially, 100 new cars per day are added to our roadways with these new arrivals.  Our population is growing & we feel it with the mounting traffic congestion.  Car dependence and standstill traffic is something no one cares for.  Yet, we seem to be our own worse enemy on this issues...


There is this tension around building sidewalks and this fear of 'sidewalks to nowhere'.  People worry it will 'look weird' and the 'neighbors will not like it/you'. 


This deep set insecurity seems old fashioned and superficial. Nashvillians have literally begged for sidewalks and numerous politicians have based their bid on hearty promises of better walkability.  Knowing the popularity of this hunger, Mayor Purcell, 20+ years ago, ran on the platform of 'schools and sidewalks' but did not allocate much for new sidewalk creation.  The city was sued in 1999 for ADA issues surround walkability.  This got the ball rolling downtown but left the neighborhoods wanting.  Karl Dean pledged support for sidewalks but did not set aside enough in funding to see or feel a difference.  Megan Barry was on the same path.  There have been numerous campaigns and initiatives over time including the excellent work by Walk Bike Nashville, Alliance for Green Hills, TGAP and countless individuals and councilmembers such as the well versed Angie Henderson.  Yet, in 532 square mile city in 2018, the pace of new sidewalk creation remains a slow drip with insecure yearly funding.

With Nashville's construction boom and The Sidewalk Bill 493 - Sidewalk Bill 493 (Fact sheet) - which was established July 2017 to provide sidewalk infrastructure linked to development - we have seen improvement.  But, it has been painfully slow.  One reason is our builder/developer community has not embraced sidewalk creation - somewhat illogically - as walkable neighborhoods are more desirable and fetch higher prices.  I'll quote you something I heard from a builder recently, "I just don't want to mess with sidewalks'.   I sense that this is not a unique point-of-view.  Nashville builders are actively discouraging home owners from building sidewalk and numerous variances are requested at each Board of Zoning meeting, too often granted.   


The city has slowly increased funding for sidewalk but the estimated time to completion for our sidewalk grid is still 1000 (that IS one thousand years - not a typo!!!) years in the future.  At this pace, none of us here today, will benefit.


We need to stop avoiding our responsibility and do the right thing.  Do your part if the Sidewalk Bill is triggered with your project.  Build your piece.  Start loving on 'sidewalks to nowhere' as these are the foundation steps to a complete network! 

***

3/15/2018 - 14 sidewalk variances requested, 10/14 granted (THIS IS NOT A GOOD TREND!)

3/1/2018 - 4 sidewalk variances requests, all 4 granted

1. CASE 2018-020 (Council District – 17)  -
Gary Wisniewski, appellant and O.I.C 1001 Summit Avenue, owner of the property located at 1001 C Summit Avenue, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the District, to construct two single family residences, without construction of updated sidewalk. Referred to the Board under Section 17.20.120.


RESULT-Denied


2. CASE 2018-036 (Council District – 33) -
Gary Bull, appellant and Tandem Investments, LLC, owner of the property located at 1436 Heil Quaker Blvd., requesting variance from sidewalk requirements, but not eligible to pay into the sidewalk fund in the IR District, to construct a new warehouse. Referred to the Board under Section 17.20.120.


RESULT-Granted



3. CASE 2018-038 (Council District – 20) Joshua Bronleewe, appellant and Joshua Bronleewe, owner of the property located at 905 47th Avenue North, requesting variance from sidewalk requirements in the R6 District, to construct a single family residence. Referred to the Board under Section 17.20.120.


RESULT –Granted, subject to the following conditions: The variance is granted for the portion of the frontage on 47th Avenue from the alley on the north end of the lot, down to the third of the three large trees along 47th Avenue. The variance is denied on the remaining frontage of the property.



4. CASE 2018-039 (Council District – 6) Vincent Morelli, appellant and Pantheon Development, LLC, owner of the property located at 114 Lindsley Park Dr., requesting variance from sidewalk requirements, requesting not to construct or contribute into the sidewalk fund in the R6 District, to construct two single family residences.
RESULT-Denied



5. CASE 2018-042 (Council District – 21) Chad Robbins, appellant and Bemsee, LLC, owner of the property located at 503 Spruce Street, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OR20 District, to construct a 1629 square foot second floor addition.
RESULT-Granted



6. CASE 2018-048 (Council District – 15)
Josh Randolph, appellant and Josh Randolph, owner of the property located at 294 B Mc Gavock Pike, requesting variance from sidewalk requirements in the R20 District, to construct a second unit of a duplex.
RESULT-Granted



7.CASE 2018-053 (Council District – 15)
Michael and Karen Angarole, appellants and owners of the property located at 2124 Wooddale Lane, requesting variance from sidewalk requirements in the R15 District, to construct single family residence.
RESULT-Deferred



8. CASE 2018-055 (Council District – 16)
Mike Donoho, appellant and International Church of foursquare gospel, owner of the property located at 2949 Nolensville Pike, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the CS District, to rehab an office building.
RESULT-Granted




9. CASE 2018-056 (Council District – 05)
Invent Communities, appellant and Invent Communities, owner of the property located at 908 Lischey Ave, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the SP District, to allow construction of townhomes.
RESULT-Granted



10. CASE 2018-059 (Council District – 19)
Willow Street Partners, appellant and owner of the property located at 65 Willow Street, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OV-UZO, IR District, to construct a 4,000 square foot warehouse.
RESULT-Granted


11. CASE 2018-060 (Council District – 22)
Brendan Boles, appellant and Michael D. Shmerling Partners, owner of the property located at 7025 Charlotte Pike, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the R40 District, for multifamily construction.


RESULT-Granted - The development will be behind Brookmeade School on a busy stretch of Charlotte

12. CASE 2018-062 (Council District – 20)
Jeff Parnell, appellant and Brian Chandler, owner of the property located at 525 Basswood Avenue, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the IWD District, for proposed boat storage facility.
RESULT-Granted


13. CASE 2018-063 (Council District – 18)
Dewey Engineering, appellant and All Sevens, LLC, owner of the property located at 2909 12th Ave. S, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the OR20 District, to construct a yoga studio.
RESULT-Deferred April 5, 2018


14. CASE 2018-064 (Council District – 24)
Dewey Engineering, appellant and EBO PROPERTIES, GP, owner of the property located at 3813 ELKINS AVE, requesting a variance from sidewalk requirements in the RS5 District, to construct a single family residence.
RESULT-Granted with Conditions: Granted variance for frontage on Elkins, but required payment into the sidewalk fund for 39th Avenue as indicated in Planning’s recommendations

***

PLEASE - Do NOT Let Your Nashville Builder Talk YOU Out of Putting In YOUR Piece of the Sidewalk - reasons why

 

What you might not understand is that putting in the index piece makes the remainder of your block face exempt from the In-Lieu fee.  Therefore, your neighbors will have to put in theirs too.  The city prioritizes filling these 'gaps' in connectivity and - et voila - you have your sidewalk.

The surest way to get your street sidewalked is to

PUT IN YOUR PIECE. 

Please, do not let yourself be talked out of putting in your required piece.  My understanding is that builders are talking home owners out of the sidewalk by saying that 'your neighbors will think it is weird' & 'people do not like sidewalks to nowhere'. 


I am here to say, there are JUST AS MANY neighbors who will be THANKFUL to YOU for your efforts!

*** 

If you are a builder or know one - we would be more than happy to meet with you to discuss (and we will bring coffee and pastries, win-win!).

***

For more information about sidewalk requirements: 

http://www.nashville.gov/Planning-Department/Transportation/Sidewalks.aspx

***


To make a donation to sidewalks:
The Sidewalk Foundation.org - a non-profit


https://www.boonsupply.com/collections/all?fundraiser=88177