The West Meade/Hillwood neighborhoods, when first developed, were part of the post WWII economy when young families sought a place in suburban Nashville for a place to raise their children that was a true neighborhood with all the amenities that they desired – a big lot, lots of trees, and quiet space to enjoy the serenity of nature while remaining convenient to downtown. Today, the existing residents of our communities continue to have these same values. We moved here forty years ago, and many such as us remain here because of our love for this community. Our new residents in all likelihood relocated here for the same reasons that we came here so many years ago. 

Despite our desire to protect our communities, we are under attack from those who wish to change our landscape by allowing duplexes, and multiunit housing units here. They explain this under the guise of the need to provide “affordable middle housing”. This would create increased density, a vast removal of our greenspace, increased noise and traffic, devastating stormwater management issues, and water supply disruption due to our crumbling underground water system. 

These zoning bills, if ever approved, will allow developers to have a field day clearcutting our lots, and clogging our streets with construction vehicles. The natural habitat for our wildlife will be gone, and the character of our communities will be destroyed. Stormwater will flood our streets and homes, and there will be periods of water supply disruption due to broken water mains.   

This “affordable middle housing” movement will not go away, so we must now begin to speak up for our communities’ right to remain as they are now. This applies not only to our West Nashville communities but those all across Metro who face the same zoning threat. The SONN (Save Our Nashville Neighborhoods) organization will be our voice. The West Meade Neighborhood Organization will be supporting this effort, and will start by asking for donations for items such as educational brochures, t-shirts, and yard signs for our residents. Stay tuned for an update to our website that will facilitate your donations. 

Thank you neighbors for all that you do! 

Sincerely,  

Wayne Underhill 

President, West Meade Neighborhood Association