Bells Bend Councilman Switches Sides On May Town Project

By Kleinheider Posted on July 23, 2008 at 12:47 pm

Christine Kreyling reports:

In a surprising position reversal, Councilman Lonnell Matthews Jr. now says he’s opposed to the land-use change for May Town Center. Matthews represents the district in northwest Davidson County that includes Bells Bend, where the site for MTC lies. Matthews had previously indicated at least tacit support for the project, which is hugely unpopular with the majority of his Scottsboro constituents.

Matthews voiced his opposition in a letter to Planning Commission members, citing community opposition and the many “uncertainties” about the development. He acknowledges the diligence of Metro’s planning staff, who are recommending the land-use change, but says “the people of Bells Bend, Scottsboro, and District 1 deserve to have their voice reflected in the decisions that will affect their community.”

The timing of Matthews’ letter is dramatic, to say the least. This Thursday the Planning Commission is set to vote on the change in land-use policy that would enable May Town to happen. While councilmanic courtesy—i.e., what a council member wants for his/her district, the council member gets—isn’t the ironclad tradition of councils past, a district representative’s stance is clearly an important consideration for commission members.

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