Dear Editor,

We attended the Brentwood Commission meeting on July 11. One of the agenda items was a proposal to rezone 7 acres next to Office Depot in the Brentwood Place Shopping Center to allow for the development of a 393-unit apartment complex. We noticed that most of those speaking in favor of the proposed zoning change were business owners or realtors. I am sure that if we owned a business near the proposed site, we would be salivating over the prospect of 700 or so new potential customers concentrated in such a small area that close to our business.

But we are not business owners or realtors. We are part of the other 95% of Brentwood -- those of us who are simply residents -- homeowners to whom Brentwood is not a place to do business, but a place to live and raise families. We are not concerned with increasing business volumes and profits. We are concerned with quality of life issues, like maintaining our traditional low population density, which minimizes traffic and congestion, the safety and security that comes with a low crime rate, great municipal services, superb schools, high property values, and lots of open space.

We cannot think of one positive impact on these quality of life issues that a 400-unit apartment complex will bring. We can, however, think of many negative impacts. Traffic and congestion will be worse, the crime rate will almost certainly be worse, our municipal services and schools will be more stressed, and our property values will not be enhanced, but may very well be negatively impacted, especially for those of us within a mile or so of the complex, as we are in Meadowlake.

I have heard some say that Brentwood needs to have more “affordable housing.” Really? For over 30 years, we have watched developers build bigger and bigger, and increasingly more expensive houses in Brentwood. They all sell, so apparently they are affordable to someone. Houses in Brentwood fall into a broad price range. The entry price is relatively high, as it is in many places, but we certainly have no obligation to provide cheaper housing, so that more people can move here. We (you) do, however, have an obligation to protect the quality of life and property values that the current citizens of Brentwood moved here for, and have come to expect and depend on.

Brentwood is a special place. Those who are drawn here tend to be successful, educated, family-oriented, law-abiding, churchgoing (judging from the number and size of churches here) people, who are active and involved in their communities and their children’s’ schools, and who take great pride in their homes and property. In other words, the kind of folks who make great neighbors and help keep property values and the quality of life high.

Why do I bring this up? Because I am not at all sure that this describes what we will have in a 400-unit apartment complex.

Others say we need a place for retirees and empty-nesters to go. We are retired, and our youngest son just graduated from Belmont, so we will very soon be empty-nesters. At some point in the not-too-distant future, we may be looking to downsize. I am not concerned about having no place to go. We have looked; there are many options in and around Brentwood. In any case, I am pretty sure we won’t be moving into an apartment complex, even one in Brentwood.

I have also heard that this proposal supports the Town Center concept. If the Town Center requires a 400-unit apartment complex in order to work, then we withdraw our support of the Town Center concept. I believe that, if we are patient, a much better plan for that property will come.

The bottom line is this: the proposed development represents a significant departure from our traditional zoning laws, which have served us extremely well. It sets a bad precedent. It has the potential for negative consequences, some of which may be unintended and unforeseen. The potential upside is minimal; the potential downside is great. This is completely counter to the character of Brentwood. Unfortunately, many Brentwood citizens are unaware of this pending action. We are convinced that if all the citizens of Brentwood voted on this issue, it would be resoundingly defeated.

We are opposed to this rezoning, and to the proposed development of the apartment complex. To the Brentwood City Commission, we ask please do not be the commission that lets this happen to our city.

Roger and Kay Grisham
Meadowlake