Residents press Brentwood commission for speed humps, sidewalks and tax clarity during public comment

Several Brentwood residents used the public-comment period at the May meeting to press the commission on neighborhood traffic safety, sidewalks and property-tax assessments.

Jason Grant, who identified himself as a longtime Brentwood resident of Oak Hall Drive, urged the commission to adopt an ordinance to allow three speed humps on Oak Hall Drive to address repeated speeding. Grant said the city’s current policy requires homeowners within 1,000 feet of a proposed hump to vote, with a 66% quorum and a 66% affirmative requirement; that proximity rule, he said, leaves Oak Hall Drive without a quorum because adjacent streets are within the 1,000-foot boundary but their residents have no interest in the measure. Grant said each speed hump costs about $9,000 and asked the commission to provide $27,000 to install three humps “to save one Brentwood resident’s life.” He also described a history of vehicles recorded at speeds above 50 miles per hour on the street and said he had reported incidents to police.

Other speakers raised different concerns. Mike Walker, who identified himself as a 35-year Brentwood resident and a former city manager, congratulated the newly elected commissioners, called for repaired relations with Williamson County officials and urged the commission to adopt a written policy for any proposed changes to the city charter initiated at the state level. Walker also urged the commission to publicly resolve an ethics complaint against Commissioner Ray Little to clear his record; he said an outside investigation was underway and asked the commission to vote, once the report is complete, to record a formal dismissal if the complaint is found without merit.

Tom Carr and several other speakers praised veterans and urged commissioners to work together, while Greg Cantrell and other residents addressed long-running ethics concerns involving local development and the Governor’s Club Property Owners Association. Cantrell urged clearer written ethics rules and noted prior independent reviews the association had performed. Randy Smith requested completion of a missing sidewalk segment on Franklin Road near Turner Farm and renewed calls for more trails. David Zoff raised concerns about recent property reassessments after receiving his tax notice, noting his home valuation climbed substantially and asking commissioners to consider the impact on residents.

Commissioners acknowledged and thanked speakers, and several said they would pursue follow-up with relevant city departments. Commissioner comments during the meeting reiterated interest in addressing traffic safety and sidewalks through existing city processes and planned staff briefings.