Brentwood planning commission hears rezoning request for special‑needs “miracle” baseball field at Harpeth Hills

The Brentwood Planning Commission on Tuesday reviewed a rezoning request that would allow Harpeth Hills Church of Christ to convert a 1.37‑acre parcel at 2001 Shamrock Drive from R‑2 (residential) to S‑I (service/institutional) to build an accessible “miracle” baseball field, playground and concession facilities.

Chair said the rezoning is limited to the parcel shown in the concept plan and noted the site includes floodplain on adjacent church property; staff emphasized the current item is a rezoning request only and that a separate site‑plan review—when details such as lighting and final layout are set—will return to the commission. “There are lights proposed, yes,” Chair said when commissioners asked whether lighting is part of the long‑term plan.

Commissioners and staff discussed buffers and setbacks surrounding the proposed field. Staff said the concept plan demonstrates the proposal can meet required buffers and setbacks for S‑I zoning but cautioned that the rendering is conceptual and could change during site‑plan review. Staff also said some nearby church property remains in floodplain and will not be developed.

A commissioner asked whether existing ball fields across the street would remain residentially zoned to preserve a buffer; staff replied the city requested that those R‑2 parcels remain unchanged expressly to provide separation for adjoining residences. The commission noted the rezoning first reading passed city commission review on March 9 and that planning commission recommendation and the city’s public hearings are the next procedural steps ahead of a final city‑commission vote.

Residents and commissioners raised lighting as a central concern for neighbors. Resident said, “my only concern might be like lighting or things like that,” expressing concern about evening play and its impacts on nearby homes; staff pointed to the city’s lighting standard, which it described as limiting light to about three foot‑candles at the property line and said any final lighting plan must meet that standard.

If the planning commission recommends approval, the rezoning will proceed to a public hearing before the city commission with a second reading expected later in April. Until site plan approval is complete, staff said the applicant’s statements about amenities such as lights are nonbinding.