The Metropolitan Government's Charter requires the Planning
Commission to review the census data within six months of receiving
it, and if the districts for the Metropolitan Council and the Board
of Education are no longer equal in population, the Planning
Commission is required to recommend a redistricting plan.
On March 16, 2011, the Planning Commission received the census
data, and the Planning Director, Mr. Rick Bernhardt, assured the
public that his department would work to review the census data and
redraw the boundaries in an expeditious manner.
The Planning Department has established a website with updates on
the redistricting plan, which can be accessed via the following
link: http://www.nashville.gov/mpc/redist.asp
A series of three community meetings will also be held beginning on
Wednesday, March 23, to discuss the new lines for the districts.
The schedule for these community meetings is listed below:
Wednesday, March 23 - Sonny West Conference
Center, Howard Office Building, 700 Second Avenue South:
1:30 pm - 3 pm: Council, Board of Education, and Planning
Commission members
4 pm - 6 pm: Community members and Council candidates
Monday, March 28 - Metro Southeast, 1417
Murfreesboro Pike:
1:30 pm - 3 pm: Community members and Council candidates
4 pm - 6 pm: Council, Board of Education, and Planning Commission
members
Wednesday, March 30 - Sonny West Conference
Center, Howard Office Building, 700 Second Avenue South:
1:30 pm - 3 pm Council, Board of Education, and Planning Commission
members
4 pm - 6 pm Community members and Council candidates
The Planning Commission will review the proposed redistricting plan
at a special meeting on March 31. Once the Planning Commission
approves the redistricting plan, it will be forwarded on to Council
for approval. The Council cannot amend or revise the boundaries;
instead, following three readings of the plan, the Council can only
approve or disapprove it. Vice Mayor Neighbors has assured the
public that these three meetings will be conducted quickly, and it
is likely that the redistricting plan could be approved before the
May 19 deadline for candidates to disclose their intention to run
for Council.
What all of this means is that until the redistricting is complete,
there will be a level of uncertainty surrounding this election
year. Waller Lansden will continue to monitor the redistricting
process and will provide updates as events unfold.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
