Redevelopment plans for the Belle Meade Plaza were updated this week by the developer after multiple community meetings and listening sessions with area residents.
The current site of Kroger, at 4500 Harding Pike, has been the subject of debate since December, when Nashville-based AJ Capital Partners released transformative plans for the mixed-use project. Residents of Belle Meade have requested changes such as increased retail space and parking and decreased housing density and height.
AJ Capital presented changes in line with those requests at a community meeting Wednesday night.
Developer changes plans to accommodate resident concerns
The height of all four buildings proposed in the development has been decreased, and the tallest building has been decreased by 48%.
The housing density was also decreased. Original designs called for 500 apartment units and 120 hotel rooms. Those numbers have shrunk to 388 and 78, respectively
The amount of retail space increased by 20,000 square feet, up from 60,000 to 80,000. The developer also added 286 parking spaces to the plans.
Traffic, riverbank concerns remain
In addition to community meetings and listening sessions, residents of the Belle Meade neighborhood voiced their concerns with the plan on WPLN Radio. AJ Capital senior vice president of acquisitions Jack Richmond answered questions during the radio show.
Chief concerns among residents include increased traffic in the area and the development’s impact on nearby Richland Creek.
Plans submitted to the city by AJ Capital call for creek restoration and traffic calming measures.
“Our goal is to deliver another high-quality neighborhood development that fits within the existing community and emphasizes greenspace, walkability, and livability in the area,” Richmond said in an emailed statement.
“Last night we shared revised plans that show a significant decrease in number of residential units overall, material reduction in building heights and further detail regarding the creek walk and pedestrian access.”