July 24, 2025
An appeal from a long-time resident of The Nations
The update article for The Nations, published July 19, 2025, provided perspectives from both the Nations Neighborhood Association (NNA) and a newly formed group of residents, Voice of the Nations, who believe the rezoning process has not reflected the broader community.
Save Our Nashville Neighborhoods (SONN) is committed to being inclusive of all neighborhood voices and to promoting open, representative participation in decisions that shape our communities. We are sharing the following letter from longtime resident Rachel Gladstone, whose concerns reflect those of many seeking to be heard.
My name is Rachel Gladstone, and I’ve owned a home in the Nations for 23 years. During that time, I have been very active in the neighborhood, forming the first Neighborhood Association, leading initiatives to plant trees and help with zoning changes. I’ve worked with Councilman Horton on a couple of projects and thought he was aware of my involvement in the neighborhood. So, you can imagine my surprise when, three weeks ago, I learned of an upcoming bill that would Rezone the Nations, taking it from an R6 to RM 40–allowing up to 40 housing units per acre in the interior streets of our neighborhood. Although this proposed legislation has been in the works for over a year, the vast majority of my neighbors, which number well over 2,500, also had no clue it was in the works. The votes in support of this rezoning were cast by less than 100 people at Nations Neighborhood Association (NNA) meetings which most of us had no idea about. We’ve been told it was our responsibility to find out about them, but is it? Shouldn’t each and every household have been notified of such an important proposed change to our Neighborhood and ultimately, the way we live?
A great majority of us have questions and concerns about this rezoning which has not adequately addressed issues such as pedestrian safety, parking, congestion, increased flooding, sewer and water problems, and loss of green space and tree canopy (what little is left of it!) There is also no plan in place to evacuate the neighborhood should there be a major disaster like a flood or tornado, not to mention the possibility of an explosion or fire should anything happen to the dozens of petroleum holding tanks that skirt Centennial Boulevard.
All we are asking for is to have a voice in these decisions which propose to change The Nations as we know it. So far, we have been pushed aside, ignored and many of us have been personally vilified for even bringing it up! Knowing the time has come to push back on being pushed aside, a group of concerned neighbors have formed a group, Voice of the Nations. We want everyone in the Nations to have a Voice! We hope you will reach out to us through this email.
Planning Terms Explained:
For those unfamiliar with zoning vocabulary, the reference to R6 denotes a residential zone that requires a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. The proposed RM40 zoning is a multifamily residential category that allows up to 40 units per acre. However, most lots in The Nations are much smaller than a full acre, in this context, RM40 functions more like a density multiplier, meaning it proportionally increases the number of allowable units based on the lot size. While 40 units may not fit on a single small lot, the zoning allows for far more units than previously permitted, setting the stage for larger-scale development, especially when lots are assembled, as seen in the proposed change text. This technical detail is important, as it reveals how zoning labels can sound abstract but still produce significant and lasting change on the ground.