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! 

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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

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