Planning commission forwards rezoning for church’s proposed Miracle League field at Shamrock Drive

The Brentwood Planning Commission on April 6 voted unanimously to forward a recommendation to rezone 1.37 acres at 2001 Shamrock Drive from R-2 (suburban residential) to SI-1 (Service Institution, religious), a change requested by Harpeth Hills Church of Christ to permit a proposed Miracle League accessible baseball field.

City staff described the parcel as split by the Williamson/Davidson county line and presented a conceptual plan showing a Miracle League field with concessions, bleachers and a small inclusive playground. Staff told the commission that the concept is preliminary and that any final site plan must return for detailed review and comply with SI-1 zoning standards. Staff also said the rezoning would proceed to a public hearing before the city commission on April 13 and a second reading on April 27.

Residents who spoke at the public-comment period framed the proposal as both an accessibility win and a land-use trade-off. Cara Peck, a Brentwood resident, said the region lacks accessible Miracle League surfaces and argued the field would serve athletes of varying abilities and ages. “There’s not another Miracle Field or accessible field right now in Davidson or Williamson County,” Peck said, citing the rubberized, flat surface and the program’s buddy system.

Scott Tigert, executive director of the West Nashville Sports League, urged caution and raised concerns that the conceptual plan could remove two or more existing youth baseball fields at Harpeth Hills Church, displacing recreational teams. “If the Miracle Field takes those two fields below the Miracle Field, I don’t know where these kids are going to be playing baseball,” Tigert said, noting prior local efforts to site a field at Warner Park and urging the commission to consider alternatives that would not reduce overall field capacity.

Lee Burklow, representing Harpeth Hills Church, responded that the church controls its property and will decide how fields are used. City Attorney Korn clarified that the commission’s vote concerns only the rezoning request, and that any subsequent site plan would be subject to the city’s zoning and stormwater requirements.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant about floodplain and stormwater impacts. Staff said a small sliver of the 100‑year floodplain touches one of the existing southern fields but that the proposed Miracle Field sits north of that area. Staff said Brentwood’s stormwater rules require detention and water‑quality treatment and are designed to reduce peak runoff compared with current conditions.

Commissioner Crossey moved to recommend approval; Vice Chair Bain seconded. The motion carried 8–0.

Next steps: the rezoning goes to the Brentwood City Commission for a public hearing on April 13 and a second reading and possible decision on April 27. If rezoned, the applicant must return with a detailed site plan addressing traffic, stormwater, noise and lighting (several commissioners asked staff to ensure light curfews and noise mitigations be considered).