Neighbors for Safety BMH (Belle Meade Highlands) is continuing its legal fight related to the under-construction Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Parking Pavilion and Welcome Plaza, with the group now suing the Metro government.
Filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, the lawsuit focuses on what NFS contends is Metro improperly allowing Cheekwood Estate & Gardens officials to begin work on the parking facility. The plaintiffs want the court to require Metro to “enforce its own laws.”
As recently reported, the citizen group argues Cheekwood, because of the construction, is violating the special exception conditional use the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals granted in 1996. The citizen group also alleges Cheekwood is violating the residential zoning in place on the construction site.
Nonprofit starts petition drive as neighborhood group asks Metro to pause construction of facility
The plaintiffs are seeking a stop-work order prohibiting further construction until Cheekwood “demonstrates that it's in compliance with zoning and permits.”
Cheekwood officials have said the parking facility will satisfy Cheekwood’s agreement with the Metro Parks Department, which allows for Cheekwood overflow parking on adjacent Warner Parks property until the facility opens in 2027.
Neighbors for Safety BMH, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is asking the court to rule that current construction is unauthorized and to require Metro to “suspend, revoke ... or otherwise halt” permits for the parking garage. NFS also asks that the court require Metro to “enforce its zoning, permitting and nuisance ordinances as written." In addition, the plaintiffs are asking the court to have Metro pay attorneys’ fees.
Cheekwood is not named in the lawsuit. Scene sister publication the Nashville Post has contacted Metro officials for comment.
The lawsuit comes as Metro recently approved Cheekwood’s special exception permit (SEP) application related to the structured parking garage, which could carry a cost of about $25 million.
On June 8, Cheekwood communicated to Belle Meade Highlands neighbors that the project received the special exception building permit on May 14. Cheekwood is underway with work on the facility, which will yield 674 parking spaces and approximately 750 total on-campus spaces when combined with existing parking. The future 750 spaces are 60 spaces fewer than the number Cheekwood has been operating to date. Cheekwood is located in an area zoned R20 (defined by Metro as low- to medium-density residential, requiring a minimum 20,000-square-foot lot and intended for single- and two-family dwellings).
The cultural attraction historically has operated pursuant to a conditional special “non-assembly, cultural use” approval granted 30 years ago by the BZA. The approval included conditions relating to compatibility with surrounding residential uses, access, screening, lighting, parking configuration and compliance with an approved site plan.
Cheekwood Estate and Gardens Parking Pavilion and Welcome Plaza
Non-assembly, cultural use is designed for an asynchronous (with events occurring independently of one another), fluid flow of patrons through a public space (such as an art gallery or botanic garden). It is distinguished from “assembly” uses, the principal characteristic for which is a static gathering of people assembling at the same time in the same place for an event, performance, meeting or audience experience.
The Metro Nashville Zoning Code’s "non-assembly cultural" use refers to uses that provide cultural, educational or historical enrichment to the public but do not host large spectator gatherings, events or assemblies.
Cheekwood officials stressed the parking facility is not being constructed to grow attendance but rather to effectively accommodate current-level attendance. About 65 percent of the nonprofit’s annual operating revenue is generated by admissions, most of which are from attendees who visit the botanical garden and art museum via private vehicles.
On June 23, Cheekwood officials announced the launch of “Save Cheekwood” (stylized as “SAVE CHEEKWOOD”) — a petition-focused initiative to counter the neighborhood group’s effort.
The Cheekwood Board of Trustees, led by chairman Matt Kisber, noted in a letter addressed to the general public that, if the Neighbors for Safety BMH effort to stop work on the parking facility is successful, the action could jeopardize Cheekwood efforts to continue operations.
The letter notes Cheekwood's legacy is facing an "unprecedented and radical existential threat."
Neighbors for Safety BMH is represented by Chanelle Acheson, a partner with Nashville-based Waddey Acheson. The group has claimed that Cheekwood used “false and materially misleading” statements in its press release issued to garner community support involving an ongoing legal battle.
Located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Cheekwood attracted about 370,000 patrons in 2025. It has drawn upwards of 400,000 visitors in some years.
This article was first published by our sister publication the Nashville Post.
