The Downtown Code’s Bonus Height Program was adopted along with the Downtown Code in 2010. It was designed as a voluntary program, available to properties zoned Downtown Code, that allowed projects to earn increased building height in exchange for the inclusion of identified public benefits within their development proposal. Today, there are 9 options available for projects to earn bonus height. By including any combination of these options within their development plans, a site can yield a corresponding amount of bonus height. When adopted in 2010, these bonus options reflected the identity and needs of Downtown Nashville as a central business and entertainment district.
October 2023 Update
At the October 26, 2023 Metro Planning Commission (MPC) meeting, the draft Bonus Height Program (BHP) amendment was deferred to the June 27, 2024 Metro Planning Commission meeting to allow for more time to refine and update the draft amendment based on preliminary feedback, Engagement Summary (August 2023), from the public and Downtown Nashville stakeholders. As part of this, the Planning Department has initiated a downtown market study and entitlements analysis that will take the remainder of the calendar year and extend into early 2024 to complete. The findings and recommendations of this study will help finalize the next draft of the Bonus Height Program amendment.
Many of the ideas and concepts presented in the first draft of the amendment are expected to carry over into the updated draft (with updates based on preliminary feedback and findings from the market study). Additionally, like was the case in the first draft, the Planning Department is committed to phasing in the new Bonus Height Program over time – meaning that projects already in the works, or having some level of approval, will be able to utilize the current Bonus Height Program for a period of time before needing to utilize the new Bonus Height Program on its own. The updated draft of the amendment will be posted here in advance of the June 27 Metro Planning Commission date, and there will be plenty of opportunities for interested parties to provide their feedback on the draft.
We will continue to provide updates in the coming weeks and months on how to stay involved in this process. In the meantime, if you have questions or comments please reach out to Jared Islas.
Summer 2023 Draft Amendment and Engagement Summary
The Metro Nashville Planning Department released a draft amendment to the Downtown Code’s Bonus Height Program (BHP) in early May, 2023. This first draft evolves the program to align with current and future downtown priorities that aim to raise the bar for downtown development projects. Several weeks of intense public and stakeholder feedback are summarized in the engagement summary document.
- Draft Amendment Engagement Summary
- Downtown Code Bonus Height Program Amendment Draft Summary
- Downtown Code Bonus Height Program Amendment Draft Full Text
May 2023 Public Open House
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Planning Staff hosted an open house to share the proposed amendment to the Bonus Height Program. A short presentation, linked below, was given, before open discussion was held.
Public Meeting Presentation, May 17, 2023
Planning Commission Work Session
On March 7, 2023, the Metropolitan Planning Commission held a work session to discuss the patterns and trends that have emerged from the program over the last decade. Additionally, preliminary thoughts and ideas related to a potential update of the program were presented. An update would reframe the program around today’s priorities, including those identified in NashvilleNext (2016) and the Downtown Community Plan (2015).
Metro Planning Commission Work Session Presentation, March 7, 2023
Get in Touch
For general questions or inquiries, please contact Jared Islas.
If you are a member of the development community, and would like to speak with Staff regarding your initial thoughts, current or future implications of the proposed amendment, or other general feedback, please contact Jared Islas to set up a meeting.