Rick Bernhardt and the Bells Bend Neighbors Will Break Bread in Upstate New York
On Labor Day weekend, Metro Planning Director Rick Bernhardt will be riding his motorcycle to beautiful upstate New York to attend a retreat on rural conservation. Joining him will be several residents of Bells Bend, where the largely loathed May Town Center is slated to be built.
I think it’s a very safe bet that the Planning Commission won’t sign off on plans to allow the massive office, residential and retail complex to proceed. Otherwise, why would Bernhardt and the neighbors schedule the trip at all?
The point of the retreat, which is hosted by a planning organization, is to see how Bells Bend can serve as a “conservation district model” for the city and state. The locals have realized for years now that they can’t block every bulldozer that wants to rumble through their pristine corner of the county. That’s why they worked with the Planning Department to devise a blueprint for their neighborhood that would allow for some commercial construction -- while still maintaining the area’s down-home feel.
May Town , which would amount to a satellite city plopped in the middle of rolling fields and working farms, muddied the neighbors’ vision of a compromise plan. That's why they hate the damn thing.
So it looks like we’re back to the beginning: Neighbors and Planning talking again about how to develop Bells Bend in a smart, sensible way. That’s awfully bad news for Too Tall Tony and the May family. Their business plan hinges on one thing and one thing only: An epic lapse in judgment by Metro officials.
Having spent many a summer in the shadows of the tall, gentle mountains of upstate New York, I can tell you one thing: That place has a knack for making you reflect. My guess is that when Bernhardt rides his motorcycle back to Tennessee, he'll be rethinking his support for May Town.
Comments
I am sorry to disappoint Mr. Pulle. The staff recommendation has been published, is sound and will not fundamentally change. I believe that the staff recommended policies are the best and most appropriate means to balance the long-term environmental and economic interests of the entire community. However, the final decision on the future of this area will be made by the Planning Commission and the Metro Council. Regardless of the decision, the opportunity to learn from the Adirondack Institute and apply the lessons learned there to this situation or other areas in Davidson County is appropriate. The goal of preserving the Scottsboro-Bells Bend corridor is important and at the core of the policies of the plan amendment. The ultimate preservation of the corridor can be accomplished with the development of the ADA, if done in accordance with all of the staff recommendations tied to the ADA. Should the Commission and Council decide to approve the plan amendment without the ADA, further action will be necessary to ensure the preservation goals of the community are realized. Regardless of the final decision, the experience gained by understanding the 'Adirondack model' can provide information that can be relevant and applicable to Nashville.
Posted 08/14/2008 at 02:46:55 PMSee what happens when you don't pick up the phone and call people?
Posted 08/14/2008 at 10:10:35 PMI did make several phone calls, in fact.
And, for what it's worth, the plan was deferred. (Despite the last minute push.)
Every now and then, I guess correctly.
Posted 08/14/2008 at 11:10:45 PM