Preserving and Protecting Neighborhoods- Save Nashville
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About Save Our Neighborhood
We Deserve Answers From Metro Council
Nashville has grappled with enduring challenges stemming from inadequate planning, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of public input into decisions made by an unresponsive city council. The time has come for taxpayers of all persuasions—whether liberal or conservative—to unite in demanding enhanced services from a city we hold in such high regard. This is not about affordable housing; it is about back-patting developers and gaining more tax revenue for pet-projects.
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Overcrowding
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
A recent article in The Tennessean has underscored the growing congestion issues plaguing our town. The article paints a stark picture of our current infrastructure struggling to keep up with the demands of our existing population density, let alone any future increases. Despite these glaring challenges, the bills currently under consideration fail to adequately address this critical issue.
The consequences of this oversight could be dire. As our population continues to grow, unchecked congestion could not only lead to longer commute times and increased frustration for residents but also hamper economic growth and reduce overall quality of life. Furthermore, failing to address these infrastructure challenges now could result in even costlier and more disruptive solutions down the road.
It's clear that a comprehensive approach to addressing our infrastructure needs is urgently required. This should include not only improvements to our roads and public transportation systems but also measures to promote alternative modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. Additionally, smart urban planning strategies, such as mixed-use developments and transit-oriented development, should be prioritized to create more sustainable and livable communities.
By taking proactive steps to address our infrastructure challenges, we can ensure that our town remains a vibrant and accessible place to live, work, and play for generations to come.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
As you drive down any road in Nashville, it becomes increasingly evident that our current infrastructure is struggling to meet the demands of our growing population. The proliferation of construction projects and street parking has only added to the challenges, exacerbating congestion and placing further strain on our already overburdened infrastructure.
One of the most pressing concerns is the state of our water and sewer systems. Aging pipes and outdated infrastructure have led to leaks, breaks, and overflows, posing health risks and environmental concerns. Addressing these issues requires significant investments in upgrades and maintenance, which can be difficult to achieve with limited resources.
The question of whether increasing our population density would solve these issues is complex. While higher density can lead to economies of scale and more efficient use of infrastructure, it also places greater demands on services and facilities. Simply increasing density without addressing underlying infrastructure issues could lead to further strain and exacerbate existing problems.
Furthermore, increasing density raises questions about the capacity of our transportation infrastructure. More people living in a given area means more vehicles on the road, potentially leading to increased congestion and longer commute times. This, in turn, could require costly upgrades and expansions to our roads and public transportation systems.
By planning carefully and investing wisely, we can ensure that Nashville's infrastructure is able to support a growing population while maintaining the quality of life that makes our city so special.
Schools
Infrastructure
Fiscal Issues
The recent report from The Tennessean on Metro Nashville Public Schools' struggle with unfilled teaching positions underscores a broader concern about our education system's capacity to accommodate a growing population. The fact that there were 164 unfilled full-time teaching positions at the end of the semester, down only slightly from 172 at the start of the academic year, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by our schools.
Adding to the population without addressing these issues could further strain our already overburdened education system. Overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, and teacher shortages can all impact the quality of education our students receive.
It's important to recognize that addressing these challenges requires more than just increasing the number of schools or classrooms. It requires strategic planning, investment in teacher recruitment and retention, and ensuring that schools have the resources they need to provide a quality education to every student.
By focusing on improving our existing schools and addressing the underlying issues that contribute to teacher shortages and unfilled positions, we can better prepare our education system to accommodate a growing population in the future.
Fiscal Issues
Conflicts of Interest
Fiscal Issues
Nashville's financial challenges are compounded by the potential impacts of increasing density. While higher density can stimulate economic growth by creating more vibrant urban areas and supporting local businesses, it also presents significant challenges. One of the primary concerns is the strain it places on infrastructure. As the population density increases, the demand for services like roads, public transportation, water, and sewer systems also rises.
Expanding and upgrading these systems to accommodate a denser population is costly. Nashville would likely need to invest heavily in infrastructure to support the increased density, potentially leading to budgetary strains if not managed carefully. Moreover, the city may face challenges in maintaining these systems over time, as higher-density areas require more frequent maintenance and repairs.
Another potential impact of increasing density is on housing affordability. As demand for housing in densely populated areas grows, property values and rents tend to increase. This can lead to displacement of lower-income residents and exacerbate housing inequality.
In light of these challenges, it is essential for Nashville to carefully plan and manage its growth to ensure that increasing density translates into long-term economic benefits without compromising the city's financial stability.
Traffic Congestion
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest
Nashville's traffic issues are already a significant concern, and increasing population density could exacerbate the problem. Higher density typically means more vehicles on the road, which can lead to increased congestion and longer commute times. This could strain the city's transportation infrastructure even further, requiring costly upgrades and expansions to accommodate the additional traffic.
Moreover, increased density could also lead to challenges in providing adequate parking, which could further contribute to congestion and frustration for residents. To mitigate these effects, Nashville must carefully plan for increased density, investing in reasonable infrastructure improvements to ensure that the city remains accessible and livable for all residents. For example, they could upgrade the Green Hills non-functional traffic lights that have been in place since the 80's.
By proactively addressing these challenges, Nashville can better manage the impacts of increasing density on its infrastructure and ensure a more sustainable and livable city for its residents.
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of Interest
Bill sponsor Quin Evans Segall has represented many real-estate ventures throughout her career. She claims to not practice law at the moment. However, she still has a significant interest in City House Title (according to their website). Additionally, her LinkedIn page states "From day-to-day operations to finance and real estate transactions large and small, Quin helps regulators, owners, operators, brokers and tenants in a variety of acquisition, development, leasing, management, financing, and disposition matters. Clients appreciate Quin's ability to understand their budgets, timelines, and other business needs." They would certainly stand to profit from adding thousands of more properties to Nashville. This is a clear conflict of interest.
In addition, if you view the members of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, you will find that many of them have strong real estate interests. In most professions, you would be investigated and held to scrutiny for such obvious ties. Apparterntly this is not the case with Metro.
We also have concerns about the reduction of building codes. What might be the rationale behind a Metro Council member's desire to reduce them?
Crime
Supporting Save Our Neighborhood Means Supporting Your Community
The increase in crime in Nashville has become a pressing concern, reflecting broader societal challenges. Factors such as rapid population growth, economic disparities, and the urbanization process have likely contributed to this trend. Additionally, the rapid growth of the city has exacerbated issues like unemployment and mental health struggles, which has further strained community stability and contributed to criminal activity.
According to Neighborhood Scout: "With a crime rate of 50 per one thousand residents, Nashville has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 20."
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including bolstering community policing efforts, enhancing social services, and implementing targeted interventions to tackle root causes such as poverty and substance abuse. Collaborative efforts involving law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations are crucial for effectively combating crime and fostering a safer environment in Nashville. Increasing density will not help this.
Metro Council Works For Us - NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
Find Your Councilmember and Contact Them
Do not be fooled
We are firmly convinced that the high-density bills (two of the eight most contentious bills "that have been pulled") will be reintroduced following a year-long "study." We believe this is a deceptive tactic.
Additional Information
Facts
- The eight bills introduced at the Metro Council on February 6, 2024 (known as NEST) launched a major zoning reform that will impact every residential neighborhood across Nashville. The stated purpose was to increase 'middle housing' or more affordable housing, but the bills offered no authority to ensure 'middle housing' or affordable housing would be built. Part of this zoning reform would have done away with single-family zoning (RS), opening the door for developers to build additional large, expensive houses, instead of less expensive housing, thus increasing their profits. These bills would also allow triplexes and quadplexes in (R) and (RS) zoning districts. Many of our established, quiet neighborhoods across Nashville would have been destroyed, but no middle, affordable, or workforce housing would have been built. We must maintain two-family and single-family zoning (R and RS) for our residential neighborhoods.
- The NEST bills did not stop with doing away with (R) and (RS) zoning. These bills also reformed certain building standards to make it easier for developers to obtain permits. They included, but were not limited to, allowing only one staircase in buildings up to six (6) stories, removing the requirement for washer/dryer hookups, and eliminating a requirement for separate restrooms at gas stations. In addition, these bills would allow bars and nightclubs to locate in industrial zoning districts with heavy truck and van traffic making frequent trips to warehouses and manufacturing facilities with machinery operators.
- The lead sponsor has stated she will withdraw the two most controversial bills for now but promises to take another look in March 2025 after a report is expected from Planning and Stormwater. One council member summed up the NEST bills by saying: "This proposed legislation is not responsible, thoughtful, or departmentally collaborative and, more importantly, it won’t be effective at addressing the problem that it seeks to correct - affordability. In reality, this is nothing but a developer’s dream. In our opinion, it’s not even something that can be amended to make effective or palatable."
- This bill will reduce building codes and will not making housing more affordable.
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