Frustrations Mount as SNAP Meeting on Martin & Merritt Project Fails to Bridge Knowledge Gap

Overview of Martin + Merritt Project highlighting the UDO Requirements

Nashville, TN – February 11, 2025 – Last nights SNAP Community Center meeting regarding the Martin & Merritt development in Wedgewood-Houston exposed escalating community tensions and a worrying breakdown in communication. The meeting, jointly led by SNAP Board Members Caroleen Wilkes and Council Member Terry Vo, ran for just under two hours but failed to effectively address the significant knowledge gaps plaguing newer residents unfamiliar with the project's extensive history and complex rezoning process.

In the absence of structured leadership-driven explanations, SomeraRoad developer Andrew Donchez was repeatedly placed in a defensive position, forced to address recurring concerns from attendees that had been previously resolved in earlier community sessions. Council Member Vo was unable or unwilling to help explain or defend public policy as misguided residents expressed concern for code related practices being followed by the developer. While a portion of residents engaged in constructive dialogue about realistic project parameters, others arrived with fundamental misconceptions about the planning process and pressed for modifications that would be impossible to implement at this stage of the formally submitted plan.

"It's crucial to understand that SomeraRoad has established an unprecedented level of community engagement in Wedgewood-Houston," emphasizes Earnest Morgan, a founder of WEHO Social. "Their team has provided more opportunities for community input and guidance than any other developer investing in our neighborhood. The frustrations we witnessed tonight appear to stem from incomplete information rather than substantive project concerns."

The meeting highlighted serious concerns about SNAP's organizational structure and transparency. While maintaining non-profit status with the state of Tennessee, SNAP operates without publishing essential governance documents including:

• Meeting minutes from board sessions

• Current board member rosters

• Financial statements

• Records of public elections

This opacity stands in stark contrast to WEHO Social's commitment to full transparency and fact-based community information sharing, raising questions about the effectiveness of current community representation structures.

The Martin & Merritt project now faces a concerning two-year delay in breaking ground, with the timeline repeatedly extended by what appears to be a combination of personal interests, misleading narratives, and persistent misinformation. This delay becomes particularly noteworthy as Wedgewood-Houston residents prepare to witness the start of construction on a new industrial complex—a development proceeding without any requirements for community input or oversight, highlighting the disparate standards applied to different projects within the neighborhood.

Critical infrastructure and community impact discussions remain unresolved, including:

• Traffic flow management along major arterial roads

• Infrastructure capacity assessment and upgrade plans

• Height and density considerations

• Integration with existing neighborhood character

• Timeline for construction phases

• Community benefit agreements

As the process moves forward, there is an urgent need for a reset in community dialogue. This should include:

• Establishment of clearer communication channels between all stakeholders

• Development of better-informed expectations about the development process

• Implementation of more productive public dialogue based on accurate information

• Greater transparency in community organization governance

• Regular, documented updates on project milestones and modifications

"The continued delays and misinformation surrounding this project do a disservice to our community," adds Earnest Morgan, former Board Member of SNAP.  "We need to move beyond personal agendas and focus on fact-based discussions that serve the entire neighborhood's interests."

The Metro Planning Commission will review the project this month, followed by three Metro Council readings. Final approval is anticipated in April 2025. Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming meetings and can contact the project team through SomeraRoad's website or through SNAP (Neighborhood Association) for additional information.

WEHO Social members and subscribers will find more information in their inbox as new information becomes available, including updates on Wedgewood-Houston developments and to access comprehensive project documentation.