Licensing commission approves 3 more permits for Nashville party vehicles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Metro government approved more licenses for entertainment vehicles Thursday night as some Nashville leaders are calling for less.

Metro's Transportation and Licensing Commission approved three more applicants this week, which pushed the total on downtown streets to 90.

Dozens of party vehicles roam downtown. While they create a fun time for tourists, some city stakeholders said enough is enough — like the man who gets much of the credit with turning Nashville into a destination city.

“It’s too loud and that leads to some maybe unpleasant behavior after people are over served. So, we just need to think about act like you're at home a little bit. Have fun, but respect your neighbor,” Butch Spyridon, CEO of Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation.

Spyridon said things have gone a little too far.

One owner operator asked to be anonymous in fear of retaliation agrees more regulation is needed, but said it needs to be fair. That operator suggests capping businesses to two or three permits per company.

“They're messing with people's livelihoods. There's a lot of people that depend on these permits, there's a lot of people that this is what they do for their living,” the anonymous owner said.

The Greater Nashville Hospitality Association said there's an obvious traffic problem, but ETVs are not the only ones to blame.

“Our little town here has grown up so fast and has become a really popular destination. It is in part because of these entertainment vehicles. They serve a purpose,” Leesa LeClaire, CEO of Greater Nashville Hospitality Association said.

Two weeks ago, the Transportation and Licensing Commission approved 87 permits. The city allows 89, but that number went up this week with 90 vehicles on the road.

That number could change in 2024 as Metro Council members are looking to lower the cap of vehicles allowed.

Members tell FOX 17 News the ordinance to reduce the number of permits will be introduced on May 16.

Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter.