✓ Fall 2024 — Outreach Begins

Hand-delivered invitations went to every home in the neighborhood, inviting residents to participate in a series of small-group informational meetings about a conservation overlay hosted throughout Green Hills East with Metro Historic Zoning Commission staff. Five meetings were held, designed to inform, answer questions, and gather input in an accessible setting.

✓ January 2025 — Full Neighborhood Meeting

A second hand-delivered invitation went to every home inviting neighbors to a full neighborhood meeting. Following the meeting, our councilmember Jeff Preptit conducted an online neighborhood survey of properties within the proposed overlay. Of those who responded, 69 percent of contributing properties and 72 percent of all properties indicated support for moving forward. As with any voluntary neighborhood survey, not all properties responded — these figures reflect only those who participated.

✓ December 2025 — Historic Zoning Commission Vote

The conservation overlay proposal was formally reviewed by Metro's Historic Zoning Commission, which voted 7–1 that Green Hills East qualifies for a conservation overlay and that the process should move forward.

✓ April 2026 — Legislation Withdrawn for a Cleaner Process

Councilmember Preptit withdrew the introduced legislation to ensure broader community participation and a cleaner process before reintroducing it. He acknowledged that the earlier online survey had methodological issues and committed to a more rigorous approach. A six-person steering committee — three overlay supporters and three opponents — was formed to oversee the next phase.

→ Spring 2026 — The Neighborhood Vote

All properties within the proposed Green Hills East Conservation Overlay will be hand-delivered a physical mail-in ballot. Each property gets one vote. Canvassing will pair one supporter with one opponent, so every household hears a balanced presentation from both sides.

Next — If the Vote Succeeds:

1. Legislation is reintroduced by Councilmember Preptit

2. Metro Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation

3. Metro Council — three readings and final vote