Inglehame residents applaud city's process, willingness to listen
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
A few months ago, Inglehame residents had lots to say about the new Marcella Vivrette Smith Park and not all of their chatter was positive.

Those who live across Wilson Pike from the city’s newest park were concerned about traffic impacts, a proposed Brush Recycling Environmental Area (BREA) to store and process the yard waste collected and chipped by the city's public works crews, and the height and aesthetics of the bridge that will be required to provide public access to the 320-acre property.

During Monday night’s public hearing on the park’s proposed master plan, a representative of the subdivision told the Brentwood City Commission that "all of the residents of Inglehame and surrounding developments fully support the unanimous recommendation of the Park Board of the two concept plans."

In a prepared statement, Steve Wise encouraged each of the commissioners to approve the resolution to accept the master plan as developed by Gresham Smith and Partners when it comes before them for a vote later this month.

Wise told the commission how much Inglehame’s residents appreciated the process the city used to guide Gresham Smith’s creation of the plan that will direct the park’s multi-phase development.

“When we headed into the process, I, for one, was very pessimistic,” Wise shared. “But (assistant city manager Kirk) Bednar said when we met this would be a process and the best decision would come out of it and it did.

“This is because we followed a process that took resident comments and married them with the city’s goals, other issues and options and found the best solution for the long term. I agree with (City Manager Mike Walker’s) comments at the Park board meeting, and I am paraphrasing, 'We are making a decision for 25 years out and we need to consider not just what is needed now but the future also.'"

“This is a great example of the process working,”  Inglehame resident Sheree Wright told the commission. “We really feel like we were listened to … and I’ll say it, I really feel good about paying my taxes.”

Gil Hutchinson, representing Citizens for Brentwood Green Space, first acknowledged that city’s acquisition of the land “was an incredible gesture to the community.” 

Hutchinson, who also serves on the city’s Historic Commission which has been instrumental in the master plan as it relates to the restoration of the c. 1835 Ravenswood home and its outbuildings, gave the city “kudos” for its handling of the process. He specifically noted the BREA, the accommodation for local mountain bikers and the proposed Split Log Road entrance.

The commission will vote to endorse the plan at its Sept. 26 meeting.