Potential Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlay
Green Hills East Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlay
The first subdivision in the Green Hills area is exploring the possibility of a neighborhood conservation zoning overlay. The neighborhood and Councilmember Preptit have hosted a series of seven meetings. The councilmember plans to send a survey to residents of Green Hills Dr., Bonner Ave, Eden Ave, N and S Observatory Drives, Observatory Court and Burton Ave. This district is the namesake for the larger Green Hills area and is significant for its representation of the national initiative to promote home ownership and educate about modern materials and construction practices, beginning in the late 1920s. The Green Hills-East chapter provides additional guidance to the Turn-of-the-20th-Century design guidelines that will apply to this district, if adopted. The designation will be heard by the Metro Historic Zoning Commission on 12/17/25, 2pm. The Planning Commission's public hearing is expected on 1/8/26, 4pm and Council's on 3/2/26. Please confirm dates, times and locations with the relevant commission/council agendas.
Merritt House and Outbuilding Historic Landmark Zoning Overlay
The Merritt House stands as an excellent example of a c. 1870 Italianate-style residence rarely found in Davidson County outside of the city’s oldest urban historic areas. A log core may date as early as the 1780s and is believed to be associated with pioneer settler Captain John Rains. Importantly, subdivisions of the Merritt estate in 1887 and 1895 provided initial lands for a dense residential enclave in this vicinity that included modest housing likely for workers at nearby industrial properties and the L&N railroad. Through these subdivisions, the Meritt estate played a key role in the early developmental history of what is now known as the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. The designation will be heard by the Metro Historic Zoning Commission on 12/17/25, 2pm. The Planning Commission's public hearing is expected on 1/8/26, 4pm and Council's on 3/2/26, 6:30pm. Please confirm dates, times and locations with the relevant commission/council agendas.