Council Newsletter from At-Large Burkley Allen

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Allen, Burkley (Council Member)

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Oct 3, 2025, 1:59:04 PMOct 3
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METRO COUNCIL UPDATE
October 2025
EVENTS
Election Day is October 7.   This is the primary for a special election caused by the resignation of Congessman Mark Green.  Nashville is now split into three congressional districts.  District 5, the southeast third of the county is currently represented by Andy Ogles.  District 6, the northeast portion of the county, is represented by John Rose, who has already announced that he plans to run for governor next year.  District 7, the western part of the county is the district that is up for grabs.  Republican candidates include Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, Stuart Cooper, Adolph Dagan, Mason Foley, Jason Knight, Joe Leurs, Stewart Parks, Lee Reeves, Matt Van Epps, and Tres Wittum.  The Democratic candidates are Aftyn Behn, Darden Copeland, Vincent Dixie, and Bo Mitchell.  A sample ballot can be found at  https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2025-08/Sample_Ballot_Oct_7_2025_Special_Primary.pdf?ct=1755640618 .  The last day to register to vote is October 2.  Early voting runs through October 2.   Find everything you need to know at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/services/find-2025-election-information . The general election will be December 2.  Last day to register to vote in the December general election is November 3
Election Signs can be a useful indication of support for a candidate or issue  when they are deployed in compliance with the local regulations.  In Davidson County, signs should be placed only on private property with the permission of the property owner.  Signs on public right of way are in violation and may be removed by NDOT or Metro Codes.  Signs should be removed by 10 days after the election.  The metal parts can be recycled at any of Metro’s four convenience centers at 939A Anderson Ln, 943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Dr, 3254 Ezell Pk, 1019 Omohundro Pl. The plastic parts can be cleaned and  taken to Turnip Green Creative Use at 1413 3rd Ave South.
 
WeGo is proposing routing and scheduling adjustments to be effective January 4, 2026. Proposed service changes include longer service hours on Sundays; increased frequency on routes 3 West End, 7 Hillsboro, and 52 Nolensville Pike; improved weekend frequency and longer hours on Route 34 Opry Mills; weekend and evening service for Route 41 Golden Valley; longer service hours on Route 6 Lebanon Pike; Sunday service for Route 79 Skyline; and a new WeGo Link zone.
The needs-based free fare program is part of Choose How You Move, with plans to implement in the late fall.
WeGo Public Transit will hold public meetings and have an open public comment period through October 10 regarding proposed Winter 2026 service changes and a needs-based free fare program. For detailed information on proposed changes and meeting registration, visit WeGoTransit.com  or call Customer Care at 615-862-5950.
The final public meeting will be Tuesday, October 7 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Virtual meeting (Webex) Access code 2486 147 3554; Password: yyPGTv9pM43; phone 720-650-7664. Customers can access information, including schedules, as at WeGoTransit.com
WeGo is inviting all current and future bus riders Saturday, Oct. 11, from 12-3 p.m. to the Community Day celebration of the Dr. Rip Patton Jr North Nashville Transit Center (2521 Clarksville Pike).  Opening remarks will be at 12:30 p.m.   The free, family-friendly event will celebrate the center’s role as both a transit hub and a cultural landmark, honoring Dr. Patton and the Freedom Riders.
Attendees can:
  • explore on-site exhibits honoring Dr. Patton’s legacy,
  • engage with artists LeXander Bryant and WOKE3 as they share stories behind their installations, and
  • enjoy live entertainment and food from local vendors.
 
 
 
 
Brush Pick-up for
Area 7 (Edgehill, 12th South, Battlemont, Green Hills) on October 2
Area 8 Green Hills, Hillsboro West End, Belmont Hillsboro, Percy Warner, Devonshire on  October 8. 
Area 9 Bellevue, West Meade, Hillwood, White Bridge, Cherokee Park, Richland West End, Sylvan Park, Sylvan Heights, Hadley, Fisk, Watkins Park on October 14
 Area 10 – Whites Bend, Charlotte Park, Cockrill Bend, Nations, TSU, College Heights, Germantown, Buena Vista pick-up beings October 24
Area 11 – Joelton, Whites Creek, Marrowbone, Scottsboro, Bells Bend, Bordeaux, Haynes Heights, Haynes Manor pick-up begins October 29
Neighbors can confirm dates on the NDOT website at https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/2025-2026_BrushFlyer.pdf?ct=1748025359 Remember to put leaves in compostable bags and place brush piles away from utility poles so the machinery can pick them up safely.  Bag leaves in compostable bags rather than blow them into the gutter, where they can clog storm drains. 
 
The Fallon Company, master developer of the East bank, today announced the launch of the Fallon Community Fund, a $50,000 grant program supporting established organizations in creating opportunities for neighbors to connect, collaborate, and activate our community.  The fund reflects The Fallon Company’s mission to design places where people thrive, both physically and socially, and extends that vision beyond the East Bank to neighborhoods and organizations throughout Davidson County.  The Fallon Community Fund strives to provide opportunities for residents to feel more connected to their neighbors by investing in projects that foster inclusion, strengthen neighborhood ties, and create shared experiences.  Grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 will be awarded to registered neighborhood associations, nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations for initiatives such as community gatherings, activation of shared public spaces, beautification projects, and cross-cultural programs.  Applications close October 20. Recipients will be announced November 18. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.falloncompany.com/NashvilleCommunityFund.
 
 
 
 
 
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is pleased to announce a series of public information meetings for the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project. This proposed project would be the first Choice Lanes for Tennessee and aims to increase capacity and improve travel times for passenger and commercial vehicles along approximately 26 miles of I-24 between I-40 south of downtown Nashville and I-840 near Murfreesboro.
 
 
There’s still an opportunity for parents to sign  5th-8th graders up for a FREE afterschool program! NAZA-funded programs offer high-quality afterschool learning experiences that help youth thrive and develop to their full potential. Nashville After Zone Alliance  Programs are offered throught Nashville Public Library at dozens of convenient locations citywide - find one near you and apply online for FREE: https://nashvillez.org/naza-sponsored-programs/after-school/
 
ISSUES
Any citizen can help fix problems  affecting a Metro Nashville property, right-of-way, or street by reporting to HUB Nashville.  This on-line reporting tool can be used for codes violations, potholes, street light outages, and many other nuisances and system issues.
To report a non-emergency issue, visit hub.nashville.gov or call 311.
 
Members of the public are always welcome to attend council meetings, and there is an opportunity for public comment at the beginning of each committee meeting and the council meeting.  https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council/public-comment-period
September and October are bird migration months.  Nashville has issued a bird safe proclamation/resolution to encourage building owners to minimize unnecessary lighting at night, which can cause confusion and disorientation, and to install bird safe glass to reduce bird strikes against windows.  Structural collision with windows and buildings is the leading cause of death among wild birds in North America, accounting for anywhere between 100 million and one billion bird deaths each year. More information is available at https://www.audubon.org/news/what-does-bird-safe-glass-even-mean .
October is breast cancer awareness month.  One out of eight women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.  Early detection can mean the difference between an effective cure and a much worse outcome.  Yearly mammograms are recommended for all women over the age of 40.  Women without health insurance may qualify for cost free screenings through the Metro Health Department.  Information is available at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/health/clinical-health-services/breast-and-cervical-cancer-screening
The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone six months old and older get a flu vaccine, preferably before the end of October. Flu shots are available at most doctors’ offices and at CVS and Walgreens.  Walk-ins are available, but scheduling an appointment may save time.   Many businesses have programs for their employees.  Flu, RSV,  and COVID-19 vaccines can be taken at the same time.  Vaccination is still seen as the best way to reduce spread and avoid serious complications from disease.
 
Metro has close to 80 Boards and Commissions that provide citizen input and oversight to many departments through their volunteer members.  Members are nominated by the mayor or vice-mayor and confirmed by the Metro Council.  Board and Commission Openings currently need to be filled for the Procurement Appeals Board, Community Review Board, Metro Development and Housing Authority, Transportation Licensing Commission, Stormwater Management Commission, and Metro Action Commission.  Nashville residents can indicate interest on the Board website at https://www.nashville.gov/boards
 
Further review of planned infrastructure improvements is underway in coordination with the following plans: Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Master Plans by Metro Water Services; Multimodal Mobility Master Plan by Nashville Department of Transportation, WeGo, and Nashville Planning Department; and Regional Transportation Plan by Greater Nashville Regional Council.  These studies are scheduled to be completed before new zoning districts would applied anywhere so that the infrastructure and other comprehensive implications can be taken into account in those deliberations.
The first bill, BL2025-1005 creates two new types of zoning districts, RN and RL, which would allow low-rise, moderate density residential housing like quadplexes, cottage courts, and townhomes with specific design guidelines.  The pictures below shows examples of an existing neighborhood-scaled apartment building in a historic neighborhood.  The new districts include design guidelines on form, height, orientation, and site layout to ensure that new buildings fit in and don’t change the character of the neighborhood. These zoning types would not initially be applied anywhere, but neighborhoods or property owners could work with council members to apply for zoning changes in areas where they might be appropriate, like along major streets and near commercial centers.  The Planning Department will start a new community engagement process after the infrastructure master plans are complete.  At that point Metro Planning would begin looking at mapping the new districts along corridors and at centers.  Public hearing on the creation of the RN and RL districts will be at the Planning Commission September 25 and at Council October 9.  (Note that the council meeting is moved to Thursday because of the Special Election)
 
BL2025-1006 lowers the maximum height of homes in R and RS districts, where duplex and single family homes are allowed.  The maximum would be reduced from 45 feet to 35 feet and from 3 stories to 2 ½ stories, which seems likely to reduce teardowns to build something massive where a starter home had been.   It also eliminates some very confusing language about where duplexes can be built in R zoning, and eliminates the limit of 25% of properties in certain subdivisions.   I’d like to see this limit discussed more before it is removed, since there is some value in a mix of housing types in a given area. 
The DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit – mother-in-law cottages) overlay process would be simplified in BL2025-1007 to expand where small mother-in-law cottages could be added as a secondary unit.  The allowed living area would be increased from 700 square feet to 850 square feet. I am still evaluating the benefit of allowing a larger size.  I'm inclined to keep the size at 700 square feet to keep rents low and minimize impact on adjacent lots.  Individuals can sign up to join small group meeting slots through October 7 at this link Housing & Infrastructure Study Office Hours.
These bills were deferred to November for additional community engagement. This whole process will continue to proceed slowly in small steps with many opportunities for public input along the way.  There will be several rounds of surveys on specific bills.  More information is at  Engage Nashville - Housing and Infrastructure.  https://engage.nashville.gov/housingandinfrastructure?ref=thebuildersdaily.com#tab-67675
Planning is also creating a voluntary attainable housing program through BL2025-1008 that will specifically set aside 10% of the units for workforce housing for eligible projects in exchange for a 2 floor height increase. This would be an option only in the new RL zoning district.  This was enabled by recent state legislation.  I’m lead sponsor on this bill and already have many co-sponsors.  This bill was also deferred to November to allow more time for education and discussion.
 
Fall brings a special set of challenges to Metro’s storm water system.  Keeping leaves and debris out of the street can go a long way to keeping the system functioning well.  In the older parts of Nashville, the storm sewer and sanitary sewer were built in the early 1900’s as a combined system.  Leaves that get into the system make their way to the sewage treatment plant and add a lot of unnecessary load to what has to be treated and disposed of.  In other parts of the city everything in the storm drain goes straight to the river including leaves, sticks and trash.  Please remember not to blow your leaves into the street.  Metro will pick them up if they are bagged in compostable bags, which can be bought at most hardware stores.  Report clogged drains at hub.nashville.gov.  Metro Water also has a street sweeping program.  The Street Sweeping Schedule is published monthly on Metro’s Open Data website   https://datanashvillegov-nashville.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/af57006f52e0459793289c205ad6e1c1_0/explore    Click on the “View Data” button, and then filter by your district.  You should be able to find your street and when it will be swept.  Moving cars off the street on sweeping day will help Metro Water Services get debris and leaves off the street before they end up in the storm sewer system and clog it up. 
 
 
Football and soccer fans can ride WeGo bus free to home games on weekends.  For Titans games, the 4, 14, 23,and 56 routes from Shelby, Whites Creek, Dickerson, and Gallatin Pikes go right to the stadium.  Most other routes end at WeGo Central at 4th and Charlotte, and fans can walk or take the shuttle from there.  There is an express bus service from Sumner County and Bellevue for $2. For Soccer, the 56 Nolensville route and the 77 Thompson/Wedgewood routes go right by Geodis Park.  There are also park and rides for $2 from Murfreesboro and Antioch  Get details at https://www.wegotransit.com/  and  https://www.wegotransit.com/community/nashville-sc/ .
 
 
 
I hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying the arrival of fall.  Please contact me with your thoughts and suggestions at burkle...@nashville.gov or 615-383-6604.  Sign up for my newsletter at www.burkley.org
 
Burkley Allen
Metro Council Member At-Large



Burkley


Burkley Allen
Metro Council At-Large

Council Committees - Budget and Finance - Past Chair
                               Planning, Zoning, and Historic- Past Chair
                               Transportation and Infrastructure - Solid Waste Subcommittee Chair
Barnes Housing Trust Fund Commission
Sustainability Commission
Tax Abatement Study Committee - Chair
Women's Caucus - Past Chair 

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