LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Planning & Zoning Committee
ENACTED 07/20/1999
ORDINANCE NO. O99-1698
An ordinance to amend Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by applying the Historic Landmark Overlay District to the Davidson County Courthouse, Two Rivers Mansion, Parthenon, Customs House, Nashville Union Station Hotel, Croft House, Holly Street Fire Hall, Twenty-First Avenue South Fire Hall, Warner Parks, Carnegie North Branch Library, and East Branch Library, (Proposal No. 99Z-088U), all of which is more particularly described herein.
Whereas, the Davidson County Courthouse is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Davidson County Courthouse qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, an architectural competition was held in 1935 to select the design of the Davidson County Courthouse and Frederick Heirons of New York and Emmons Woolwine of Nashville, working in association, won the competition; and
Whereas, the Davidson County Courthouse was constructed beginning in August, 1936, completed at a cost of $1,595,000, and officially opened on December 8, 1937; and
Whereas, the Davidson County Courthouse is an outstanding example of the Art Deco style of architecture of which few significant examples remain in Nashville; and
Whereas, the Davidson County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 1987; and
Whereas, the Davidson County Courthouse is important to Nashville as a symbol of the continuity of over 200 years of municipal government.
Whereas, Two Rivers, also known as the David H. MeGavock House, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, Two Rivers qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, Two Rivers was built in 1859 by David H. McGavock on land inherited by his wife, Willie, from her father, William Harding; and
Whereas, the Two Rivers mansion is the second and principal house to be erected on the Two Rivers Farm, so named because of its position at the junction of the Stone's and Cumberland rivers; and
Whereas, Two Rivers is one of the earliest, most significant, and best preserved of the early Italianate style houses in Middle Tennessee; and
Whereas, Two Rivers was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 25, 1974; and
Whereas, Two Rivers is now owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Board of Parks and Recreation and is used for the education and enjoyment of all of its citizens.
Whereas, the Parthenon, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Parthenon qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the first Parthenon replica was built in Nashville in 1897 to serve as the fine arts pavilion and centerpiece for the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition; and
Whereas, the first Parthenon replica was allowed to remain after the close of the exposition due to its popularity with the citizens of Nashville; and
Whereas, by 1920 the original structure had badly deteriorated and the Park Board elected to reconstruct the Parthenon and Nashville architect Russell E. Hart was engaged as architect along with William Bell Dinsmoor, an eminent architectural historian, as a consulting architect; and
Whereas, the Parthenon was rebuilt between 1921 and 1931 using reinforced concrete; and
Whereas, the Parthenon is again being repaired and restored so that it may continue to be a Nashville landmark; and
Whereas, the Parthenon was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1972; and
Whereas, the Parthenon is owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Board of Parks and Recreation and is used for the education and enjoyment of all of its citizens.
Customs House
Whereas, the Customs House (Federal Office Building) is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Customs House qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, construction of the Customs House was begun in 1875 and the cornerstone was laid by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877; and
Whereas, the Customs House was designed by William A. Potter of New York and contains four sections with the center portion and clock tower being the first completed in 1882, a rear portion completed in 1903, and two side wings completed in 1916; and
Whereas, the Customs House is an outstanding example of the Victorian Gothic style of architecture; and
Whereas, the Customs House was declared surplus property in by the Federal Government and transferred to the Metropolitan Government in 1979 and then leased for redevelopment;
Whereas, the Customs House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 26,1972; and
Whereas, the Nashville Union Station is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Nashville Union Station qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Nashville Union Station was designed by Richard Montfort, chief engineer of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, and completed in 1900; and
Whereas, the Nashville Union Station is an outstanding example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture constructed of Bowling Green gray stone and topped by a clock tower soaring to 239 feet ; and
Whereas, the Nashville Union Station was acquired by the Federal Government from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company and declared surplus property and transferred to the Metropolitan Government in 1984 and then leased for redevelopment as a hotel; and
Whereas, the Nashville Union Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark on December 30, 1969.
Whereas, the Croft House, also known as Grassmere, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Croft House qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Croft House was built circa 1815 by Michael C. Dunn and remained in the Dunn family until the deaths of his great great granddaughters, Misses Elise and Margaret Croft; and
Whereas, the Croft sisters in 1964 deeded Grassmere and its 300 acres to the Cumberland Science Museum retaining life tenancy for themselves and stipulating that about 200 acres, including the house, be developed as the "Grassmere Nature Study Center"; and
Whereas, the Cumberland Science Museum transferred its ownership to the Metropolitan Government in 1995; and
Whereas, the Croft House was constructed in the Federal style of architecture and was altered beginning in 1875 with the addition of Italianate style features and has remained unaltered since the 1880s; and
Whereas, the Croft House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1984; and
Whereas, the Croft House is now owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and
Davidson County and leased to the Wildlife Park at Grassmere and is used for the education and enjoyment of all of its citizens.
Holly Street Fire Hall
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall, located at 1600 Holly Street, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning
Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall was designed by Nashville's first municipal architect James Yeaman and built in 1914 and opened with a formal ceremony on October 1, 1914; and
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall is a red brick Neoclassical style building designed to harmonize with the neighborhood in which it was constructed; and
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall is the oldest fire hall in Nashville which remains in its original service and is the city's first constructed to house motorized vehicles; and
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 26, 1982; and
Whereas, the Holly Street Fire Hall is included in the Lockeland Springs - East End Neighborhood Conservation District and is a source of community pride for the Lockeland neighborhood.
Twenty - First Avenue South Fire Hall
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, Fire Hall, located at 2219 21st Avenue, South, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets
the criteria outlined in Section 17.3 6.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws,
the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, Fire Hall was constructed on property acquired by the City of Nashville on July 16, 1929 and opened in 1930; and
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, Fire Hall is constructed in the Tudor Revival style which was a popular architectural style used often in the adjoining neighborhoods in the early part of the
century; and
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, Fire Hall is the second oldest fire hall in Nashville which remains in its original service; and
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, Fire Hall was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places on December 12, 199' ) as part of the Hillsboro - West End Historic District; and
Whereas, the Twenty - First Avenue, South, Fire Hall is greatly appreciated and valued by the community and is a source of pride for the adjoining Hillsboro - West End and Belmont - Hillsboro neighborhoods.
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District consists of acreage acquired between 1927 and 1930 acquired by the Nashville Board of Park Commissioners under leadership or Percy Warner and Edwin Warner; and
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District contains man-made landscape features and architecture built to blend with and accentuate the natural environment; and
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District contains a number of features constructed using Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds and workers during the 1930s and early 1940s; and
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on January 20, 1984; and
Whereas, the Warner Park Historic District contains numerous contributing historic elements which are worthy of Landmark District designation and its associated protection.
Carnegie North Branch Library
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library, located at 100 1 Monroe Street, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library was designed by Nashville architect C. K. Colley and built in 1915; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library is a one story brick building designed in the Classical Revival style; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library was the first branch library to be incorporated into the Nashville Public Library System; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library was one of four libraries built in Nashville using funds donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and one of only two remaining Carnegie branches in the city; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library was closed in 1986, restored beginning in 1987, and reopened in 1988; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 24, 1980 as part of the Buena Vista Historic District; and
Whereas, the Carnegie - North Branch Library is valued and used by the citizens of the surrounding neighborhoods and is a great source of community pride for those citizens.
Whereas, the East Branch Library, located at 206 Gallatin Road, is of great historical, cultural, and architectural importance to Nashville and Davidson County, and, its destruction would be an irreplaceable loss to the quality and character of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library qualifies for landmark designation in that it meets the criteria outlined in Section 17.36.120B, Historic Landmark, in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library was designed by New York architect Albert R. Ross and built in 1919; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library is a one story building with a cut limestone exterior designed in the Beaux Arts Classicism style; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library was one of four libraries built in Nashville using funds donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and one of only two remaining Carnegie branches in the city; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library has been the subject of an ongoing restoration beginning in 1997; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 15, 1982 as part of the East Nashville Historic District; and
Whereas, the East Branch Library is valued and used by the citizens of the surrounding neighborhoods and is a great source of community pride for those citizens .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
SECTION 1. That Title 17 of the Code of Laws of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, be and is hereby amended by making certain changes in the Official Zoning Map for Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, which is made a part of said Title 17 by reference, as follows:
By applying the Historic Landmark Overlay District to the Davidson County Courthouse (Property Parcel No. 56 as designated on Map 93-2), Two Rivers Mansion (Property Parcel No. 13 as designated on Map 84), Parthenon (Property Parcel No. 76 as designated on Map 92-14), Customs House (Property Parcel No.I as designated on Map 93-6), Nashville Union Station Hotel (Property Parcel No. 326 as designated on Map 93-9), Croft House (Property Parcel No. 4 as designated on Map 133), Holly Street Fire Hall (Property Parcel No. 26 as designated on Map 83-14), Twenty-First Avenue South Fire Hall (Property Parcel No. 204 as designated on Map 104-15), Warner Parks (Property Parcel No. 25 as designated on Map 143) and Property Parcel Nos. I and 15 as designated on Map 157), Carnegie North Branch Library (Property Parcel No. 203 as designated on Map 81-16) and East Branch Library (Property Parcel No. 85 as designated on Map 83-9) of the Official Property Identification Maps of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, all of which is more particularly described by lines, words and figures on the attached plan, which is attached to and made a part of this ordinance as though copied herein.
SECTION 2. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Metropolitan Clerk is hereby authorized and directed, upon the enactment and approval of this ordinance, to cause the change to be made on Sheet Nos. 81, 83), 84, 92, 93, 104, 133, 143 and 157 of said Official Zoning Map for Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, as set out in Section I of this ordinance, and to make notation thereon of reference to the date of passage and approval of this amendatory ordinance.
SECTION 3. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this ordinance take effect immediately after its passage and such change be published in a newspaper of general circulation, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Sponsored by: Eileen Beehan & Chris Ferrell
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY |
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|---|---|
| Introduced: | June 1, 1999 |
| Passed First Reading: | June 1, 1999 |
| Referred to: | Planning
Commission - Approved 8-0 (7/8/99) Planning & Zoning Committee |
| Passed Second Reading: | July 6, 1999 |
| Passed Third Reading: | July 20, 1999 |
| Approved: | July 21, 1999 |
| By: | |
| Effective Date: | July 24, 1999 |