Historic Zoning Administrator

Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and that growth is reshaping neighborhoods, skylines, and streetscapes at a pace few American cities have experienced. Amid that change, historic zoning overlays are one of the city's tools for protecting the character, scale, and architecture that make Nashville's neighborhoods distinct, ensuring that growth adds to the city's identity. The Historic Zoning Administrator plays a central role in that effort by leading the team that upholds the integrity of the city's historic districts while helping property owners, developers, and community members navigate the needs of 21st century living with clarity and confidence.

The Historic Zoning Division is housed within the Metro Planning Department to administer and enforce local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, supporting the Metro Historic Zoning Commission (MHZC), and coordinating with their partners in preservation, such as the Metropolitan Historical Commission and staff, to ensure preservation programs and procedures remain aligned across Metro Nashville.

Historic Zoning Administrator plays a central role by upholding the integrity of the city's historic districts while helping property owners, developers, and community members navigate the needs of 21st century living with clarity and confidence.

Reports to the Assistant Director

Supervises:
Senior Preservationists, Preservationists, and the Historic Zoning Inspector

• Program Administration. Oversee the administration and enforcement of local historic zoning ordinances and design guidelines, ensuring consistent and accurate application across all cases.
• Staff Management & Mentorship. Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff who support historic zoning functions, ensuring high-quality professional work in serving both the Commission and the community.
• Case Review Oversight. Provide direction and oversight for staff case reviews, research, community engagement, and preparation of Commission materials.
• Preservation Permit Review. Lead and coordinate the review process for Preservation Permits (certificates of appropriateness), including working with applicants, reviewing plans, and preparing or approving staff recommendations.
• Commission Liaison. Serve as the primary liaison to the Historic Zoning Commission, preparing agendas, reports, and meeting materials, and ensuring staff alignment with Commission expectations. Coordinate the Commission's agenda in collaboration with other Metro preservation staff whose work comes before the Commission, including matters originating outside the division.
• Policy Development. Lead or support updates to design guidelines and documents related to historic zoning.
• Research & Technical Guidance. Conduct and oversee research on historic properties, architectural styles, and preservation best practices to support Commission and staff decision-making.
• Cross-Departmental Coordination. Coordinate with permitting and Development Services departments to ensure consistent application of regulations.
• Interagency Alignment. Work in coordination with staff of the Metropolitan Historical Commission to promote alignment on operational and program-level matters related to serving the Historic Zoning Commission.
• Compliance Monitoring. Monitor compliance with approved Preservation Permits and guide staff in follow-up actions on potential violations.
• Records Management. Maintain accurate and organized records of cases, decisions, and historic resource data.
• Public Resource & Outreach. Serve as a primary resource for property owners, applicants, community members, partner agencies, and elected officials, supporting the preservation of historic resources through technical expertise, collaboration, and responsive customer service. Assist Planning and Historical Commission staff with community outreach and education on preservation requirements, incentives, and historic resources.

• Advanced knowledge of preservation principles, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, and relevant local/state preservation regulations.
• Familiarity with the history and zoning laws of Nashville and Tennessee.
• Ability to interpret architectural drawings, site plans, and technical reports, and guide staff in doing the same.
• Professional certifications (such as AICP or AIA) preferred but not required.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience in a…