🏘️ Will zoning reform fix our housing shortage?

🏘️ How Zoning Changes Could Impact Neighborhoods

What’s the deal with the new zoning reform bills, and will they really help fix Nashville’s housing gap? On today’s City Cast Nashville podcast, Metro’s Deputy Director of Planning and Development Lisa Milligan joins us to talk about the proposed zoning changes, what they mean for neighborhoods, and residents’ concerns. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• This is part of our continuing conversation about Nashville’s struggle to address our housing crisis. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏘️ ‘Non-Traditional Rapid Rehousing’ Program Leaves Families Hanging

City records show Office of Homeless Services Director April Calvin created a new housing program to operate outside agreed-upon protocols between Metro and service providers. The program handpicked at least eight families from shelters and placed them in rentals, promising to pay rent for the year. The rentals chosen were often in disrepair or dangerous, according to the tenants, and OHS frequently failed to pay rent, leaving the families at risk of eviction. [Nashville Scene]

• We spoke with Councilmember Ginny Welsch recently about her request to audit the Office of Homeless Services after numerous allegations of financial mismanagement. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🌯 Looking Out for Neighbors, One Burrito at a Time

In Woodbine, residents are biking through the streets bearing burritos, tampons, water, and Narcan to pass out to their unhoused neighbors. Many of the folks they encounter fear for their lives, and struggle to find their footing out of poverty. “It’s just really bad for everyone,” said one unhoused woman. [Nashville Banner]

🧑‍💼 Ethics Allegations Dismissed

After an all-day hearing, the Metro Board of Ethical Conduct unanimously dismissed allegations against Councilmember Joy Kimbrough. Best Brands CEO Ryan Moses had accused Kimbrough of demanding he pay $500,000 to a community fund she controlled in exchange for her support in rezoning a Bordeaux parcel so he could build a warehouse on it. [Nashville Banner]

Hungry? Nashville had so many excellent new restaurants and bars open this month. Here are our favorites!

Philippe Chow

This famed New York City restaurant has made its Nashville debut in The Gulch, offering Beijing-inspired cuisine like Peking duck and Kung Pao chicken. Nashville-only menu items include Appalachian lamb chops and Wagyu steaks.

Sift Nashville

Dose owner Keith Steunebrink and baker Jami Frazier have teamed up on a new venture — a North Nashville bakery in the Buchanan Arts District that serves delicious pastries and coffee. I mean, look at these beautiful pastries!

Ollé Korean Eats

Over by Trader Joe’s on White Bridge Pike is a new comfort-food Korean restaurant, with kimbap, mandu, and tteokbokki. They also have grab-and-go options and lattes!

Noôsh Persian Cuisine

This Persian restaurant has also opened on White Bridge, right across the street from Ollé. The Iranian owner moved to Nashville at 12, and fell in love with the city’s diversity and community. Find sizzling kabobs, savory stews, and plenty of vegetarian options.

The Sicilian Butcher

With locations in Arizona and Texas, The Sicilian Butcher has made its Nashville debut in Wedgewood-Houston, by The Finery and Dos Santos. It’s famous for its build-your-own-meal menu, where you can pair meatballs with a variety of pastas and breads. Order tiramisu and cannolis at The Sicilian Baker, in the same location.

Nick the Greek

Head to downtown’s Nashville Yards for a bite at this fast-casual Greek restaurant chain’s first location in Tennessee. They sell Greek street food like pita wraps, skewers, and salad bowls.

Pooky Jane’s Kitchen & Pub

The husband-and-wife team behind this Old Hickory pub hopes it will become a neighborhood favorite. Feast on from-scratch pub fare while watching the latest game, or while listening to live music.