Councilman files stormwater amendment to Mayor Dean's plan

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • March 2, 2009 Residential and non-residential property owners would pay for stormwater costs at equitable rates under an amendment to Mayor Karl Dean's water plan that Metro Council members filed today. Under the amendment written by Councilman Jason Holleman, non-residential property owners would pay $3 for every 3,200 square feet of impervious surface, like driveways and rooftops. That's the same rate the average homeowner would pay in Dean's plan. Holleman and some other council members and Nashville residents have complained that Dean's plan would let some of the largest property owners pay less money per square foot than many homeowners would pay. Under the amendment, "the amount of impervious surface you have is directly proportional to the money you pay into the system," said Holleman, who represents Sylvan Park. Dean aides have said their plan would bring in 60 percent of stormwater fee revenue from non-residential ratepayers and 40 percent from residents, reflecting the city's property mix. The council's Budget & Finance and Public Works committees will meet at 4 p.m. today to discuss water and sewer legislation, including Dean's plan and a substitute ordinance filed by those committees' chairmen Friday.