Episode 15 - Zoning Chaos and Tax Hikes With Lonnie Spivak and Thom Druffel
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About this listen
In this raw, no-holds-barred episode of Your Home in Davidson County, host Lonnie Spivak sits down with Metro Council member Tom Druffel (District 23 – Belle Meade, West Meade, Hillwood & Warner Park) to unpack the bombshells shaking Nashville: skyrocketing property taxes, controversial zoning overhauls that could turn single-family neighborhoods into multi-unit hotspots, and a Metro Council on the brink of slashing from 40 to 20 members. Tom pulls no punches on how rushed policies are eroding affordability, infrastructure, and that irreplaceable West Nashville charm – and why developers (not you) stand to win big.
From the 45% tax spike hitting fixed-income families hardest, to the "missing middle" housing push that might just flood streets with parking nightmares and flood risks, this convo is a wake-up call for every homeowner. Plus: Tom's take on DADU expansions (hello, backyard investor goldmines?), the broken budget process, and his vision for community-led planning over top-down mandates.
If you're in Davidson County and care about keeping Nashville livable – or just pissed about your latest tax bill – hit play NOW. Your voice matters before it's too late.
Timestamps:
00:00: Intro & Tom's Background (Hotel Vet Turned Youth Advocate)
01:22: Metro Council Shrinkage – SCOTUS Drama & District Redraws
07:12: Property Tax Hell – 45% Jumps, Seniors Squeezed, & Williamson County Temptations
08:10: Zoning Overhaul Alert – RIN/RL Multi-Family Madness Explained
17:00: The Nations Nightmare – Density Without Guardrails
21:06: Infrastructure Lag – Sewers, Sidewalks, & Stormwater Warnings
41:17: DADU Deep Dive – From In-Law Suites to Developer Cash Cows
48:03: Tom's Exit Strategy & Call for Neighborhood-First Politics
50:27: Connect with Tom – Newsletter, Meetings & More
52:24: Local Politics DC – Why Your Council Seat Packs the Real Punch
Join the convo: Drop your zoning horror stories or tax gripes in the comments!
👍 LIKE if you're fighting for Nashville's neighborhoods | 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives on local TN issues | 💬 COMMENT: Should Metro pause zoning until infrastructure catches up? | 🔄 SHARE with your block!
#NashvilleZoning #PropertyTaxes #MetroCouncil #DavidsonCounty #TennesseePolitics #AffordableHousing #WestNashville #SaveOurNeighborhoods #LocalPolitics #YourHomeInDavidsonCounty