Hello, hello —
Back with an important development about the Belle Meade Plaza development!
If you're on this list it's because you too want to mitigate the community-wide impacts of a years-long, gigantic construction project. Before this goes for a hearing and a vote at Metro Council in the next 45 days, we need to lobby the council for meaningful proposal conditions to be met. As I mentioned in my last email, a group of us have formed an LLC called Neighbors for Nashville to negotiate conditions for this development. We've been working with a lawyer to argue our case.
THE BOTTOM LINE: We have been advised that we have a solid chance of getting enough council members on our side to win a delay or amendments if we strengthen our hand with expert support.
So, here's the deal. We need to:
Raise $13k by Saturday at 5pm CST.
These funds would go towards:
1. Hiring a lobbyist who is ready to take our case.
2. Commissioning an independent review of AJ Capital’s traffic study by KCI.
3. Keeping our lawyer on retainer.
High-level conditions (specifics are subject to recommendations from our advisors):
1. Traffic mediation
2. Fewer stories to decrease density
3. More accommodations for the community's use of the development
If you can make a donation ASAP (like right now!), that would be great. No contributions will be made public, and you can remain anonymous. We have to reach our fundraising goal by Saturday at 5pm CST.
You can Venmo or send a check to:
The community opposition to this rezoning proposal has been unprecedented. We can raise this money quickly if we get the word out.
Can you help? Can you forward to at least one friend? Can you add $1,000, $500, $250, $100 to the pot?
This plan cannot go through without the support of the City Council. Our key objective is to engage a recommended lobbyist to position us with all of the council members beyond CW Kathleen Murphy. We need SEVEN (7) council members to support a deferral/ delay.
The rezoning process has been unnecessarily rushed and extraordinarily unconventional in its deference to the developer and dismissiveness of the community. A lobbyist is ready to make that case, support District 23's CM Thom Druffel, and argue that this fast-tracked process must slow down.
Our collective neighborhoods are worth fighting for, and we need your help.
Remember, we have to reach our fundraising goal by Saturday at 5pm CST! Support community-informed development when you Venmo @!
Thank you so much!