Latest news with #JordanHuffman
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Metro councilman wants more transparency for large developments in neighborhoods
HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Metro Councilmember in Hermitage will introduce legislation he hopes will bring an added layer of transparency when it comes to developments. District 14 Councilman Jordan Huffman recently filed legislation that will require mailed notices when certain final site plans are approved, particularly in cases where zoning changes happened several years prior but construction hasn't yet begun. According to Huffman, the inspiration for the legislation came from two separate incidents in his district. Two different pieces of property were rezoned in 2020 from single-family to allow for high-density development. But because the properties were already rezoned five years ago, the final site plan approval that came before the Planning Commission required no further notice to adjacent property owners. 'In one [rezoning] … it goes from one home to twenty-five,' Huffman told News 2. 'The other piece of property is on Dodson Chapel Road, right across from Flower Your Dreams Bakery and Salvo's. That is two lots, so two homes that are going to be fifty-four townhomes.' Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More By current law, Huffman said developers are not required to notify any neighbors when construction moves forward, since the properties were rezoned years ago. Rezoning properties in Nashville requires certain notices be placed for neighbors to keep informed. Signs must be placed at the subject property by the property owner, and the owner is also required to mail notice to adjacent property owners when they're seeking a rezoning. But when multiple years pass between when a property is rezoned and when further development actually happens, Huffman argues those living near the future development have a right to be informed when a final site plan is approved. 'My argument is we deserve to tell taxpayers when something is coming up, just to give them a heads up,' he told News 2. 'This is simply a notification.' The proposed legislation would require property owners be notified if a large development is proposed nearby if construction has not begun within four years of the original rezoning. It would only apply to projects with five or more homes, within 1,000 feet of residential zones, and outside of Downtown Code areas. Salemtown neighbors help bunnies during breeding season 'It only targets properties where it was single-family zoned and it will increase density to five or more dwellings,' he said, noting it was only a notification mechanism, not any kind of work-around to stop the development from happening. 'It would be up to the developer to send that notice, and you're looking at costs well under $1,000 for that mailing, and that's if you're sending full-color, front-and-back mailings, and I don't think anyone will be doing that,' Huffman said News 2. With how rapidly Nashville is changing, it makes sense to add this level of transparency, especially given the boom in rental properties in the area. 'If a rezoning happened in 2020, and you moved in in 2021, you're not going to have any idea that that even happened,' he told News 2. Huffman said he based his legislation off similar notices required in Arizona and Massachusetts. Both states have laws requiring the notices when large gaps occur between rezoning and actual construction on developments. In both use cases in Huffman's district, he told News 2 the developers were happy to hold community meetings to inform neighbors what precisely they were planning to bring to the area. 'They showed plans. People loved it because they wanted to be in the know,' he said of the meetings. Currently, the Planning Department has recommended disapproval of the proposed legislation, according to Huffman. The proposal is set to go before the Metro Planning Commission on Thursday, May 22, where Huffman suspects it might fail. | READ MORE | 'The planning department thinks that people will think it's an opportunity to override the zoning. I have a hard time with that one. I like to think that the citizens of Nashville are intelligent enough to know it's a notification,' he said. If the proposal fails at the Planning Commission, Huffman said he will need 27 votes on the Metro Council to move forward with the proposed legislation. If he is successful in that plan, Huffman said he plans to amend the proposed legislation before it is introduced on second reading in August in order to clarify the notification is just that—and not any attempt to circumvent development. 'We're just trying to close off a loop with this. It's the least we can do to keep our public informed,' Huffman told News 2. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cook Out planning to open Hermitage location on Old Hickory Boulevard
HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Hermitage residents will soon have another dining option available to them. North Carolina-based restaurant Cook Out will be opening a location along Old Hickory Boulevard on the site where a Fazoli's once stood. The restaurant, which boasts an affordable 'tray' of food offerings, including hamburgers, quesadillas, hot dogs, corndogs, barbecue sandwiches and chicken sandwiches, has four Davidson County locations, with three on the horizon — including the Hermitage location. Metro Councilman for District 14 Jordan Huffman celebrated the upcoming location. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More 'It's an exciting add to the OHB/Lebanon Pike corridor,' he told News 2. 'Cook Out provides a very versatile menu. They've got everything from corn dogs to quesadillas to milkshakes, and I think it's going to be an overall hit with the Donelson/Hermitage/Old Hickory community.' The addition will be a welcome one, according to Huffman, as that area of town took a couple hits with the closure of the Hermitage Big Lots due to economic issues and the closure of the Hooters restaurant, which shared the same parking lot. 'This Cook Out location is very close to that, and it's the first of a few new businesses that are going to be coming to the Hermitage area that I think people are going to be very excited about,' Huffman said. 'I think that a good company like Cook Out seeing the potential is really exciting and it should give everybody in Donelson and Hermitage a lot of optimism about what is coming in the future. While a fan of the food himself, Huffman said he was also excited to see another late-night offering coming to the area, particularly for those who may work later hours, like those at TriStar Summit Hospital or first responders in the area working the shifts that conclude later at night. Increased DUI enforcement planned by Franklin Police Cook Out is only one step toward the future growth of the business and residential landscape, according to Huffman, as 'a little bit of everything' is in the works to be added to his district. 'The nearest announcement will come in the form of an exciting new restaurant addition,' Huffman told News 2. 'We definitely need new restaurants in Hermitage. My district in specific really is lagging behind when it comes to restaurant options. That's one thing that I ran on, was bringing new options for the area, and I'm really excited to announce that in the coming weeks.' A firm timeline for the construction has not yet been confirmed, but News 2 has reached out to Cook Out for comment. The restaurant website also lists an upcoming location in Antioch on Hickory Hollow Parkway and a South Nashville location on Harding Place as in the works. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Metro Council one step closer to creating private surveillance network for Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro Nashville police are a step closer to creating a private surveillance network across the city. The Metro Council has been fighting for months over a system that would let police access private cameras, with owner permission. 'I'm here to urge you to reject these so-called guardrails which are nothing more than a sugar coating on a poison pill,' one Nashvillian said during public comment. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → There were passionate arguments surrounding an ordinance that details a set of rules on when and how Metro police can access video from private surveillance cameras, with an owner's permission. 'Nothing in this lets you know your immigration status, it has nothing to do with your sexual preferences,' one Metro councilmember explained Tuesday night. Since the bill was first introduced, sponsors have made several amendments such as a stringent audit process. 'Anytime there is a violation of rules MNPD has to promptly notify us as well as the mayor's office and there has to be an annual report published to the council detailing how the program is being used, how many times they were accessed, why they were accessed,' one Metro councilmember explained Tuesday night. PREVIOUS | Metro Council approves bill on community camera safety network during final reading Another amendment includes when Metro police can access delayed video feed. 'There has to be a service call put in and it must be a public safety measure. That is the only time a camera can be accessed,' said Jordan Huffman, Metro Council District 14. Huffman is a sponsor of the bill. He also created an amendment that allows cameras to only be placed in common areas of residential areas like apartment complexes. 'Privacy is a risk we are talking about at the end of the day.' And now that these guardrails have passed, Huffman hopes a contract with FUSUS can come to their desk. It's a surveillance program that would allow police to access business surveillance cameras with their consent to help fight crime. Huffman said many businesses in his district have expressed interest. 'In my district alone, I have had dozens of dozens that want to participate in this program.' However, those in opposition expressed concern about whether or not the program can be exploited by the state and federal governments. 'What happens to the data that FUSUS collects? Where does it go? Is it shared without oversight? Does ICE have access,' one Nashvillian said during public comment. ⏩ Twenty-eight council members voted in favor of the ordinance. Seven voted no and one councilmember sustained. Huffman told News 2 he hopes a FUSUS contract will be on council members' desks in April. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
‘If you're out there street racing in Nashville, your run's about to come to an end': Metro Councilmember frustrated by street racing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Residents near Donelson told one Metro Councilmember their Saturday night was rudely interrupted by street racers in the area. A viewer sent News 2 video showing several cars gathered at a shopping center near Jackson Downs Boulevard Saturday night. Jordan Huffman, Metro Councilmember for District 14, said he's had enough and plans to meet with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) soon. 'They were doing burnouts [and] racing on public streets,' Huffman said. 'It was definitely a mess.' DECEMBER 2024 | 'I feel like we owe it to victims and their families': Residents advocate for stricter street racing enforcement 'They had a few people that would go ahead as a lookout and then you would have people racing quarter-mile strips,' Huffman said. 'That happened a lot right on the strip out here on Lebanon Road. It's a straightaway; they're able to do that here.' Huffman added several residents called him and complained about the noise, but he added Saturday night wasn't the first time it had happened. 'If you're out there street racing in Nashville, your run's about to come to an end,' Huffman said. Huffman said he hopes for longer impound periods if the MNPD catches someone engaing in street racing. However, that's not the only measure Huffman called effective; he mentioned some proactive tactics could be useful in stopping the crime. 'LPRs — license plate readers — Fusus technology can be extremely helpful, especially in the prevention,' Huffman said. 'You notice that they target Nashville because they know they can get away with it here.' The MNPD said one motorcyclist who left the scene crashed into the back of another vehicle, but they weren't seriously injured. 'There are legal ways to race,' Huffman said. 'There are legal ways to do this — not out on a public street endangering other people's lives.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
