Metro Historical Commissioners Worry New Position Undercuts Responsibilities

Members of the Metropolitan Historical Commission held a special-called meeting on Monday due to of concerns that a new Metro job position will undercut the commission's duties. 

The separate Metro Historic Zoning Commission, which was moved under the purview the Metro Planning Commission in 2025, has hired Robin Zeigler to the newly created role of preservation policy analyst. While the job’s description includes working closely with MHC, the historical commission was not made aware that such a position was created or the reasons for it, as discussed in Monday’s meeting. 

In addition, as appointed by the mayor’s office, Zeigler will now be heading up communication with the Certified Local Government program, a state-managed program that provides technical assistance and grants for historic preservation — something the MHC previously led. The MHC also maintains historic architectural survey records for the county and submits grant applications to the Tennessee Historical Commission, among other duties.  

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“We have concerns with the new preservation policy analyst position ... which [is the] proposed CLG point of contact, will strip MHC of the ability to make independent decisions about historic resources,” said Caroline Eller, executive director of the Metro Historical Commission, at the meeting, which took place at Sunnyside in Sevier Park. “It will create public confusion about who to contact regarding historic resources, and it will diminish the authority and roles of the MHC executive director and commission.” 

For example, recently, the Capitol Hill Redevelopment District was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. While that process typically falls under the purview of the MHC, the mayor’s office notified Eller in late August that they decided to designate the Metro Historic Zoning Commission as the contact. 

In a letter to the Metro Historic Zoning Commission — which is set to meet Wednesday and discuss Zeigler’s role — the Metro Historical Commission writes: “MHC should remain the CLG point of contact and will coordinate with the Metro Historic Zoning Commission and Planning Department. Preservation activities for Metro Nashville and Davidson County have successfully operated for 30 years under the existing CLG agreement and should remain under the purview of the MHC.” 

However, MHC commissioner Kaitlyn Jones noted that Zeigler has worked for the Planning Department for 17 years in the role of historic policy adviser. Jones abstained from voting on a letter, citing a positive relationship with Zeigler. 

Richel Albright, chief of staff of the Metro Planning Department, said the role stemmed from Zeigler’s interest and experience in preservation policy. 

Albright tells the Scene in a statement, “This role should not be conflated with the Certified Local Government (CLG) designation, which is the authority of the mayor and was assigned to the Metro Historic Zoning Commission, not any individual staff member.

“The Planning Department and all of its divisions routinely work with other departments, including the Historical Commission, on studies, grant applicants, and other initiatives that impact our community to ensure a holistic approach to how we serve Nashvillians. This collaboration will continue as Historic Zoning staff advise the Historic Zoning Commission in their service to CLG duties.” 

Justin Marsh, representing the Metro Law Department on Monday, said there was little or no legal concern regarding these changes — but the changes upset attendees of Monday’s meeting nonetheless. 

“What I see happening right now is the nature of this body is being transformed into what's purely advisory,” said historian Learotha Williams, who attended Monday’s meeting but is not a voting member. “Preservation — that's pretty much taken out of our hands, and it reduces us to the point where we just maybe give a lecture or two or put up some historical markers. The meat and potatoes of preservation that have been invested in that one person who really doesn't have to listen to us.”