Brentwood BOA Turns Away Boys Hope Girls Hope in Lopsided Vote

The Brentwood Board of Aldermen resoundingly killed the Boys Hope Girls Hope group home’s plan to move to Brentwood Monday night.

Following more than an hour of comments, which went both ways, the board voted down the required rezoning 4-3. Passage required a 75 percent “yes” vote of the aldermen present, so any number of “no” votes more than one would have killed it.

Director of Boys Hope Girls Hope Brian Hipp said the group has other ideas for a location in the city and the county, but couldn’t be specific. He said Brentwood missed an opportunity.

He said it’s an “embarrassing day” for Brentwood.

“The powerful testimony for the overwhelming majority of citizens from this community was palpable,” Hipp said.

“I know that there has been a lot said about the negativity around Brentwood, and a sense of lack of trust and confidence in the future direction, and unfortunately, I would tend to say it doesn’t appear there is enough desire to move forward in a positive way at this time.”

Voting against the rezoning were Anthony Harper (Ward 1), Tom Kramer (Ward 4), Andy Leahy (Ward 3) and Cindy Manestar (Ward 2).

Lee Wynn (Ward 2), Keith Robertson (Ward 3) and Patrick Toohey (Ward 4) voted for the rezoning. Maureen Saunders (Ward 1) was absent.

A petition with more than 500 signatures in support of the development was presented to the board. Mayor Pat Kelly said any possible lot in Brentwood where this could go would require rezoning, and that it is a good use for the site.

Following the public comments, which were approximately 21 in favor and 8 against the rezoning, Leahy had questions about the group’s license, the number of residents in the home, precedents being set about rezoning and overflow parking. They seemed to be answered to his satisfaction.

Harper spoke emotionally about friends who lost their homes to the Brentwood Promenade, and said he was tired of Brentwood residents “kowtowing” to commercial development. He said he didn’t want to see another Brentwood home destroyed.

The vote began with Harper’s “no” vote, which meant that every vote after that needed to be a “yes” to pass. The audience cheered the following two “yes” votes, but Kramer’s “no” killed the home’s plan, and any more cheers from the majority of the audience.