MDHA should take a clue from Brentwood Master Planning

Brentwood Planning should be given a big "That a boy" for not being tempted, by the examples of other city's misuse of Eminent Domain Powers, in order to expedite future building "improvements".

'Downtown Brentwood' still elusive

Redevelopment inches forward, but city will not pressure property owners to meld

City won't push
Another option, akin to the master plan offered by Investors Equity, would be to turn Town Center into a redevelopment district. In recent years Nashville has created these districts in regions such as the Gulch and a portion of Music Row.

To do so, the affected property must be designated as "blighted" so the city can take it over and redevelop it for the public interest.

Brentwood leaders, however, have repeatedly balked at this suggestion.

"We would all like to see (the Town Center) happen quicker," said City Manager Mike Walker. "But the reality is we've got property over there (and), even though it might need some work on it, it is of value. I wouldn't want to go before a jury in court and declare it's a slum."

Walker also said he wouldn't recommend the city adopt a master plan.

"Bottom line is, to go in and tell private property owners they have to do certain things with their land to fit within this plan is very difficult to do. . . . In fact, it's almost un-American to tell someone with their property what they can do or not," he said.

Owners are in charge
Instead, after setting the zoning and building Town Center Way, the city is
placing the responsibility of Town Center's development in the hands of the community.

City Commissioner Regina Smithson said that means property owners should get together and decide how to progress. If they want to adopt a master plan, they should do it on their own.

"The city, if they do it, I think it's going to look like we're on the road to eminent domain," she said.

City Commissioner Betsy Crossley, who was a planning commissioner during the conception of the Town Center zoning and pattern book, echoed this sentiment, saying these property owners should work together as one.

"Those people, I think, would be the most interested in a unified development plan. Not to say that the city is not interested in working with that group. We really would like to see that move forward. We are very, very Town Center friendly. The question comes as to who initiates this."