Thursday, November 6, 2008
40 Jealous Whores / Kotz / Politics Megan Barry Discovers the Difficulty of Going Green
Posted by Pete Kotz on Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 5:38 AM
Everybody says they're green -- until they have to raise a hand to make it happen. That's when even the smallest proposals run into obstacles.
Metro Councilwoman Megan Barry is discovering this with the rather modest proposal she's co-sponsoring to green up new housing developments. It would require subdivisions to include a certain number of trees in their plans, along the lines of 12 per acre.
In the realm of environmental initiatives, this is as pain-free as it gets. Developers simply have to buy a few dozen young trees -- at maybe 5 bucks a pop when bought in bulk -- in exchange for bulldozing virgin land. Nashville gets the benefits of going greener, while developers get to brag about how they're helping the environment.
The proverbial win-win, eh?
But the Home Builders Association is refusing to follow the script, claiming Barry's deal will create "unnecessary regulation that adds another layer of bureaucracy." (The preceding line was stolen from every objection to every new business regulation since 1981.)
The Metro Council will hold hearings tonight at 6 p.m.
In related news, the Mayor's Green Ribbon Committee is holding public meetings to get input on how to make Nashville “the greenest city in the Southeast.” You'll find a list of sites and dates after the jump.
Downtown
Tuesday, Nov. 11
5 – 7 p.m.
Nashville Convention Center, rooms 209-210
601 Commerce St.
Bus route: 2, 3, 6, 8, 15, 17, 18, 35, 34, 44
North
Thursday, Nov.13
5 – 7 p.m.
Z. Alexander Looby Community Center
2301 Metro Center Blvd.
Bus route: 9 Metro Center
West
Saturday, Nov.15
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Green Hills Library
3701 Benham Ave.
Bus route: 7 Hillsboro
South
Thursday, Nov. 20
5 – 7 p.m.
Mt. View Elementary School
3820 Murfreesboro Road
Bus Route- 15 Murfreesboro Road
East
Saturday, Nov. 22
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Inglewood Library
4312 Gallatin Road
Bus route: 26 Gallatin Road
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