Brentwood residents and applicants spar over Miracle Field rezoning at public hearing

A public hearing April 13 drew a broad mix of supporters and neighbors to the Brentwood Board of Commissioners as the council considered Ordinance 2026-O-4, which would rezone property at 2001 Shamrock Drive from R2 (Suburban Residential) to SI1 (Service/Institution Religious) to allow a Miracle Field on Harpeth Hills Church property.

Kevin Gangewear, part of the applicant team, told the commission the project would create an accessible field "that serves the people with disabilities" and said the group expected to return in a few weeks for second reading. "It's a field created for folks with disabilities," he said, noting the design would let athletes participate alongside others rather than be segregated.

Lee Barclow, who said he represents Harpeth Hills Church and serves as president of the Miracle Field board, said the church has provided baseball fields "for decades" and that rezoning would allow the congregation to expand that commitment to athletes of all abilities. "We look forward to the opportunity of expanding that decade long commitment to this community," he said.

Several residents and family members spoke in favor of the project. Catherine Terry described her son’s traumatic brain injury and said the field would adapt to players who "use crutches or walkers" or have sensory sensitivities. "Baseball is for everyone," she said.

Opposition centered on location and neighborhood impacts. Tom Connolly, a Wildwood resident since 1986, called the concept "great" but said "where it's going to be placed is the wrong place," citing worries about lighting, a speaker system and year-round traffic. Kathy Dunn, whose backyard abuts the fields, asked how lights and noise would affect the back strip of homes and said she appreciated receiving notice but wanted more detailed information.

Several supporters emphasized the project would be privately funded and maintained. Chris Peck said the proposal "will be privately funded and privately maintenance," and argued that private funding avoids city costs. John Leonard, a parent who said the existing fields support "hundreds of kids," urged the church and applicants during site review to try to preserve youth baseball capacity so the Miracle Field can coexist with other fields.

Commissioners and staff listened but did not vote on the rezoning at the meeting. Commissioners and staff repeatedly noted that details such as lighting, traffic plans and hours of operation are typically addressed later in planning and site-review processes, where neighbors and applicants can negotiate conditions. Commissioner Donahue and other members reminded residents that the planning commission and subsequent site-review procedures provide further opportunities for technical review and neighborhood input.

The public hearing was closed after no further public testimony. City staff indicated the item will return for further consideration and that a formal vote would follow the council’s established ordinance-reading schedule.