A Permanent Crisis?
🚨 When the housing crisis comes for your front yard · Lipscomb puts Lower Broadway under the laser in the name of pedestrian safety · Nashville's Honky-Tonk tax revolt attracts attention from state leaders · Much more!
Whitepilled with Scott Greer Join us Thursday, August 20 for a conversation with writer Scott Greer on how the online Right broke the old conservative order and built Trump's America. (Buy Ticket)
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You hear constantly about our "housing crisis." Most homeowners tune it out. That is a mistake.
From Davis Hunt
Last week the Metro Council advanced two Contextual Overlay bills—BL2026-1416 and BL2026-1420—on second reading despite unanimous disapproval by the Planning Commission. The commission disapproved on the grounds that the plans would have the “practical effect of denying more affordable housing types.”
Neither bill modified density or changed the underlying zoning; both added design standards for setbacks, height, lot coverage, and garages so new construction would better match the existing character of the neighborhoods.
Both received staff recommendations of approval after months of review. Both were neighborhood-driven requests from District 10 Councilmember Jennifer Frensley Webb. But the Commission rejected both, with Councilmember Rollin Horton (the Council’s own representative on that body) moving for their disapproval.
Horton then voted against both bills at Council. Despite the pushback, the bills still passed 21-7-2 and 20-8-3, but due to the commission’s rejection, on final reading, the threshold for each rises to two-thirds at next week’s council meeting.
German political theorist Carl Schmitt defined the term “state of exception” in the 1920s as the moment when a declared emergency becomes the justification for setting aside the normal rules that govern political life.
Though occurring within the bounds of law, that is the function of the “housing crisis” mantra in Nashville. It is invoked by councilmembers, activists, the mayor, and eager developers not simply as a description of market conditions, but as a standing warrant for extraordinary action.
Horton himself has two well-documented instances of rushing bills through the council against the wishes of his own constituents, placing the imperatives of Metro above the desires of his own district.
In the case of Webb’s bills, it means the unusual decision by the commission to disapprove a neighborhood supported, planning approved overlay. The commission’s opposition then empowers district councilmembers to step outside their own districts to oppose an initiative that residents of the neighborhood support because it is at odds with Metro’s priorities.
This is just the latest in an escalating Cold War between Nashville homeowners and Metro leadership who are increasingly at odds over how the city should address or even define its growth.
✹ WHITEPILLED
Whitepilled with Scott Greer In his new book Whitepill, Scott Greer traces how the online Right broke the old conservative order and made Trump possible, a history he watched from inside both DC and the subcultures that displaced it. Join us Thursday, August 20 for a conversation on how the Right got here and what it takes to move from rebellion to governing.
Books will be available for purchase. This event benefits The Pamphleteer, Nashville and is priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free, privileged admittance.
HEADLINES
- 🏙 Tennessee leaders ponder special session to address honky-tonk owners' tax concerns. Top Tennessee Republicans are considering whether to call a special legislative session to address soaring property taxes affecting downtown Nashville honky-tonk owners. House Speaker Cameron Sexton and state Senator Jack Johnson have discussed the issue with Governor Bill Lee’s office, but it remains unclear whether lawmakers will pursue a special session or what relief they could provide. (Axios)
- 🚦 Lipscomb lands grant for Lower Broadway safety study. Lipscomb University received a Nashville Innovation Alliance grant to work with NDOT on improving pedestrian safety along Lower Broadway. Lipscomb Assistant Dean Jacob Arthur will analyze LiDAR data to enhance Metro’s existing Lower Broadway traffic dashboard with real-time and predictive information. The project is one of five grants awarded through Nashville Tech Studio’s Civic Tech Jam. (Post)
- 🅿️ Nashville's residential parking program is on pause, and Music Row neighbors are paying the price. Residents at 807 18th Avenue South on Music Row have spent two years seeking seven or eight residential-only parking spaces, but their request has repeatedly stalled all while the city’s residential parking program is currently on hold. The situation was made worse when an NDOT system error allowed residents to purchase permits for an inactive zone; they were subsequently ticketed, though NDOT says it will seek dismissal of the tickets and has refunded the permit fees. (NewsChannel 5)
- 🪪 New Tennessee driver’s licenses may hit snags with TSA screening at airports. Tennessee’s newly redesigned driver’s licenses may cause problems for some travelers at airport security, with reports that TSA’s ID-scanning systems are having difficulty processing certain Tennessee licenses. The issue could result in travelers facing additional screening or manual verification at airports. (TNJ)
✹ PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR
What Moved Your Bill? Use our handy new tool to see what contributed to your property tax bill increase: the reappraisal or the rate hike. (Try It Out)
DEVELOPMENT
- Time Mission To Open Its Largest Immersive Gaming Venue In Downtown Nashville (Now Next)
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 My Chemical Romance @ Nissan Stadium, 7p, $79+, Info
🎵 Gladys Knight @ Ryman Auditorium, 7p, $63+, Info
🪕 Crandall Creek @ Station Inn, 9p, $20, Info
🥁 Live Jazz: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia, & Anson Hohne @ Vinyl Tap, 7p, Info
🎙️ Open Mic @ Fox and Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.