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A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to collaborate with the Federal Aviation Administration in consideration of residents affected by changes to air traffic patterns at Nashville International Airport.
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WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) began testing new flight paths in 2024, residents of southern Davidson County, including Nipper’s Corner, Bradford Hills, Oak Hill, Crieve Hall, Whispering Hills, and Forest Hills, noticed an increased number of flights over their residences; and
WHEREAS, concerned residents notified the FAA of their complaints throughout the testing period. Despite these complaints, the new flight paths were finalized in 2025; and
WHEREAS, residents now continue to experience increased air traffic, noting over 150 flights a day over some residences. This increased air traffic is counter to FAA’s stated goals of the project to disperse air traffic both vertically and horizontally; and
WHEREAS, residents have reported noise levels of up to 90 dB at ground level due to flights overhead; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, noise pollution can lead to high blood pressure, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity; and
WHEREAS, Radnor Lake is a Class II State Natural Area known to be a haven for wildlife, particularly migrating birds and worthy of perpetual preservation; and
WHEREAS, residents have expressed concern that the FAA has failed to consider the impact that increased air traffic would have on Radnor Lake and surrounding and did not properly engage affected communities ahead of making the proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, residents have requested methods to decrease disruption from overhead flights including rebalancing departures or and supporting higher climb profiles over residential areas where possible. Further, residents have requested efforts to better inform the public including noise-monitoring review in affected areas; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council support community groups in the pursuit to protect the public health and safety of Nashvillians and our wildlife areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as requesting that the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority collaborate with the Federal Aviation Administration to review the effects of flight patterns on affected neighborhoods and continue to inform citizens of any updates.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board Chair Nancy Sullivan and the Board of Commissioners of the MNAA.
Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.