A key zoning decision looms in the ongoing clash between Cheekwood Estate and Gardens and a group of Belle Meade Highlands neighbors.
Nashville’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 20 will consider an appeal from Jackson Moore, representing the Neighbors for Safety group, that targets Cheekwood’s permit to construct a new $25 million parking pavilion on the property
. It’s an effort for Cheekwood to comply with a city mandate to transition overflow parking off city-owned property by the end of 2027.While the neighbors’ zoning appeal specifically applies to Cheekwood’s permit to construct a new parking garage on the property, the group has made it no secret that it’s also challenging a special exception granted to Cheekwood by the same body in 1996.
In a June 16 letter from the neighbor group’s attorney, Chanelle Acheson, to the Board of Zoning Appeals, the group says it’s “forced to demand” that the board reverse approval of Cheekwood’s application to build the new parking facility and also issue a stop work order for any further use of the property.
The board could take a number of actions Aug. 20, depending on how the vote shakes out. Moore and Neighbors for Safety’s appeal could be granted, resulting in Cheekwood’s building permit being revoked. The group could also vote to defer its decision to a future meeting, which also would be the outcome in the event of a split vote. The board could also deny the appeal outright.
Austin Hornbostel is the Metro reporter for The Tennessean. Have a question about local government you want an answer to? Reach him with questions, tips and story ideas at ahornbostel@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fight over Cheekwood reaches key zoning vote
