Ardelia Park Design Is from a Catalog? Metro Planner Asks for a "product specifically designed for the site"

The Metro Planner vested with review of R.C. Hazzard's Ardelia Park concept at the corner of 7th Avenue, North and Garfield Street expressed concerns about the design, which Mr. Hazzard made clear he will not change at an April Salemtown community meeting.

The planner, Jason Swaggart, maintained that he believes that Metro policy calls for a design that "fits" the context of Garfield. Here is his explanation of why he believes that Mr. Hazzard's plans do not fit that context:

First thing is the orientation of the corner unit and how it lacks a strong edge along Garfield or 7th and is not consistent with the existing building pattern. I have tried to address this concern with the proposed product type by moving the buildings around, but it simply does not work. It appears that the proposed product is from a catalog and does not necessarily work for this site, and it would be better if a product specifically designed for this site were used. Other concerns with the proposed product are that each unit appears to be exactly the same and that it does not provide any variety to the streetscape, nor does it fit the urban context of the area and is more of a suburban design.

I heard the same criticisms about the units' lack of variety and their suburban look when I attended the April meeting.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Ardelia Park design on June 26 at 4:00 at Metro Southeast (1417 Murfreesboro Pike, Green Hills Conference Room).