Dear Neighbors,
I hope everyone has enjoyed happy holidays. As we enter the new year, I’m sending news of the district and wishes for a happy and prosperous 2016 for everyone.
Metro Public Works has made arrangements for extra recycling as people clean up after the holidays. Residents can take paper and cardboard to any of the Metro’s recycling drop-off sites. Electronics can be taken to East Convenience Center seven days a week or to Omohundro Convenience Center Tuesday through Saturday free of charge. Christmas trees can be recycled at Elmington Park.
Hillsboro High Renovation or Rebuild – On Thursday, January 7, 2016, Metro Nashville Public Schools and the Hillsboro High School design team will host a community meeting to present two designs to the community — one for a renovation and one for a rebuild. Please join this community meeting to learn about the designs, ask questions, and give your feedback. To register for the event, click here. If you have any questions about this community meeting or the MNPS capital needs budget, email our school board representative, Mary Pierce at mary@pierceforschools.org or mnps.communications@mnps.org.
Several big changes are underway in Hillsboro Village. The Belcourt Theater had its last showing on Christmas Eve and has now closed for a major renovation. The $4.5 million upgrade will included a larger lobby, better continuing education space, accessible bathrooms, updated heating and cooling and a third screen for small showings. The construction is expected to take about six months with a grand re-opening in June. In the interim, the Belcourt will host pop-up films at different venues around the city. Information can be found here.
Also in Hillsboro Village, the Bosco’s and Sam’s building has been sold and is expected to undergo renovation. The new owner has stated that he intends to save the historic building. To encourage that, the Hillsboro Village Urban Design Overlay is being revised to include incentives for preserving the historic buildings in the heart of the village. The Council public hearing for that change will be Tuesday evening, January 5 at the Metro Courthouse.
Project at corner of 21st/Wedgewood – I am working with Council member Colby Sledge from District 17 to set up and informational meeting to learn about the construction process and schedule for the mixed-use project that is under way at the corner of 21st and Wedgewood. Date and location will be announced over the listserve in the next week.
I have sponsored legislation to refine the short-term rental regulations to ensure that STRPs continue to fit with minimal impact into residential areas and to make it easier for the Metro Codes Department to get noncompliant properties shut down. The proposed legislation makes it possible to revoke a STRP permit for advertising for more occupants that are legally allowed. It allows only one STRP permit per lot, and subjects new properties with Detached Accessory Dwelling Units to the same 3% cap that all non-owner occupied properties are subject to.
Belmont and Vanderbilt University are both participating in the MLK joint day of service at Second Harvest Food Bank and other sites dealing with food security and services to veterans. The event takes place Saturday, January 16 based at Second Harvest Food Bank, 331 Great Circle Road from 11:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Everyone is invited to participate by registering here.
The Metro Budget Process begins this month with the Mayor’s office meeting with each department to hear their proposed department budgets for the fiscal year. This is the ideal time to work to influence Metro’s spending priorities. My goals for this upcoming year are increasing sidewalk construction and recycling. If those issues are important to you, please contact the Public Works department and the Mayor’s office and ask for their support for recycling pick-up twice a month and at least $26 million in sidewalk funding. If you have other issues you think we should be advocating for, please let me know.
I am always eager to hear your concerns and suggestions. Please contact me at 615-383-6604 or burkley.allen@nashville.gov.
Regards,
Burkley Allen
Metro Council 18th District