Group Home on Madge Avenue?

Dear Friends,

One week ago Brentwood's Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Commission both ruled in favor of the BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE proposal for Madge Ave. We are disappointed in the decisions, but did not really expect to prevail in these hearings. The members of both of these boards are appointed, and do not answer directly to the citizens, although it seems to us that any city official, whether elected or appointed, derives his or her authority from the electorate. Additionally , BHGH is represented in this proposal by the area's most successful land use attorney. We knew that all of the T's would be crossed and the I's dotted. However, the ultimate decision rests with the Board of Aldermen, with the issue set for the meeting of July 15.
From the beginning of this process, BHGH has argued in favor of the new group home on the merit of the group's purpose. Citizens have focused on the deleterious effects of the building on our neighborhood. The Planned Development zoning overlay, which extends two hundred feet west and east of, and along, Brentwood Blvd. and Manchester Rd., requires that any development be in the best interests of the City. That BHGH had to ask for FIVE favors (three variances, a conditional use permit, and the re-zoning of a residential property), demonstrates for us the inappropriateness of that proposal for that site.

The four factors cited by MADGE HOPES --economic loss to the city, loss of home value by residents, loss of a green space opportunity, public safety--are some of the standards contained in the ordinance, for the approval of a conditional use permit. We don't see how the best interests of the city are served by BHGH if we believe the "best interests" include financial and safety concerns. We could find no ordinance that "best interests" are defined as a citizenry that feels kindly toward a charitable organization. If the residents of Brentwood that have criticized the residents of Madge for trying to preserve our neighborhood want to support BHGH they are free to donate their time or money to the cause. We should all be able to choose which charities we support in our own pursuit of altruism. That is not what this is about.

Lastly, thanks very much to alderman Andy Leahy for standing with us, and for us, at last week's meetings.

Thank you, MADGE HOPES