NASHVILLE, TN – A coalition of residents in District 20 from The Nations, Charlotte Park, Robertson and Whitebridge neighborhoods, filed a Petition to recall Council Member Rollin Horton pursuant to section § 15.06 and §15.07 of the Metropolitan Charter.
The petition cites the following grounds for removal from office:
1. Failure to provide adequate notification to residents about Bills regarding the Urban Design Overlay (UDO) and the mass commercial rezoning of the Nations neighborhood – both sponsored by Council member Horton.
2. Failure to represent the will of his constituents, disregarding community input in favor of developer interests.
3. Failure to respond to emails, texts and phone calls from residents in a timely manner – or at all – and when responding, obfuscating the issues rather than addressing concerns.
4. Failure to hold Community Meetings or maintain regular dialogue with those he represents.
Residents say the recall is the result of a pattern of neglect and disregard for Nashville’s working families.
Community members shared their frustration:
“When Rollin was asked by the Nashville Scene how he’d handle push back from the ‘powers that be’ about rezoning the Nations, he said: ‘I am the powers that be! I’m the Council Member for this district and I’m doing this.’” said a District 20 spokesperson. “That’s the problem – he’s forgotten who he works for.”
“Because of the zoning changes Rollin pushed through, two Historic homes on my block are being torn down and could be replaced with 35’ stacked flats. Four low-income families have been evicted, and the new units will be Luxury builds because no measures have been put in place to incentivize developers to do anything else. How does that bring the affordable housing that Rollin promised to this neighborhood?” – –Rachel Gladstone, Nations Resident
“I saved for years to buy my little house in the Nations. The backyard garden is my pride and joy. Because of Rollin’s zoning change the house next door, which has been sold to developers, will be torn down and all of the mature trees will go with it. If they build a 35’ tall multi-family unit there, which they are allowed to do under the new Zoning laws, my garden will die because it won’t get any sun.” Anna Geoghagan, Nations resident
The Voices of District 20 say this recall effort is about restoring accountability, transparency, and respect for residents’ voices. The petition will now move forward to the next stage of verification under Metro Charterprocedures.Note: Council persons are paid $23,100 a year.
