Nashville's city leaders explain sidewalk ordinance following recent lawsuit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — It’s a 2017 city ordinance that has sparked widespread debate over the years between Metro and developers. Who should pay for sidewalks when a new home is built?
Metro Council member Angie Henderson, stands by this ordinance advocating for more safety and connectivity in Nashville as the infrastructure continues to grow.
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She adds, “It wasn't just saying all of a sudden, in 2017. now, we're going to require sidewalks everywhere. It was a very intentional policy that was based on our county wide general plan, or walking bike strategic plan, or in motion transit plan.”
According to city guidelines, when a developer or builder opts out of constructing a sidewalk in Metro zoning areas, they would need to pay the city a fee per linear foot.
In fiscal year 2021, Metro collected more than $4.5 million in those funds, with more than $4.8 million in fiscal year 2022.
Henderson says, “We are doing our part municipally structurally through our capital improvements budget, but you know, the development community has to do their part as well. And so it's an endeavor that we do together.”
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Henderson says all money from this fee goes to a fund toward walkable infrastructure and future capital construction in that vicinity. The city contributes around $30 million annually in sidewalk improvements.
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