East Hill Neighborhood Association

CONSERVATION ZONING OVERLAY

Jan 11, 2005

Exciting News!!! The East Hill Neighborhood Association is actively investigating the desirability/feasibility of acquiring a Conservation Zoning Overlay for the East Hill Historic Community.

Conservation zoning is a planning tool used to protect the architectural character of Nashville?’s historic neighborhoods by managing growth and change. It is an overlay zoning that is applied in addition to the ?‘base?’ land use zoning that is already in effect.

Overlay zoning does not impact permitted land uses. It does give us as a community the ability to regulate the following:

1.) New building structures (primary or secondary such as a garage)
2.) Relocation of structures to our neighborhood
3.) Additions to current structures visible to the public
4.) Demolition of buildings or other structures.

Overlay zoning will NOT create the need for review of any interior renovations or choices of landscaping, paint colors, materials, window replacements, etc. Only those items specifically listed above will require a permit. The standards by which the permits would be granted would be decided upon by our community in conjunction with the Metropolitan Nashville Zoning Commission. These standards are required to be in accordance with the United States Secretary of the Interior?’s ?“Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings?”.

Many studies have been conducted which demonstrate the direct correlation between property values and the addition of some type of overlay protection. Acquiring a Conservation Overlay for our neighborhood would give us the ability to have some influence on how our neighborhood develops in the future and give prospective buyers confidence that the charm and character of our neighborhood will continue well into the future.

Mr. Tim Walker from the Metro Historic Zoning Commission will be presenting an informational slide show and presentation at 7:00 on Tuesday, February 1st during the second half of our special neighborhood meeting. The presentation should last around 35 minutes and will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions concerning this proposal.