A group of Southdowns residents is alarmed by several proposed changes to the ordinance governing Traditional Neighborhood Developments that was approved by the Planning Commission July 20 —and they’re taking their concerns to the Metro Council. The amendments flew below radar when they were given the nod by the Planning Commission last month, but if ultimately approved by the Metro Council they could have a big impact on TNDs like Tommy Spinosa’s controversial Rouzan project.
Residents say they’re concerned by the proposed changes because they weaken the neighborhood protections that exist in a TND ordinance that has never been tested. The amendments remove the requirement that a developer submit the final plans for each phase of a phased-TND project within 12 months of one another, giving him unlimited time to do so. The amendments also keep inactive TND plans from ever expiring; and, remove the provision in the current ordinance that allows the land from an expired TND to revert to its previous zoning.
“This holds hundreds of surrounding homeowners’ property values hostage to a shadowy and amorphous development, and takes away the developer’s incentive to keep things moving,” says Angela Angelloz, a board member of the Southside Civic Association. “It even creates the opportunity for developers to buy and rezone these areas on speculation and sell to the highest bidder down the road.” The Metro Council is schedule to consider the amendments August 19. —Stephanie Riegel
