Rhea Little

Little was first elected to the city commission in 2009. He is the fourth generation of his family to own a tire and auto repair shop. Little has sat on the board for multiple groups, including Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Brentwood, the Williamson Convention and Business Bureau and Brentwood's Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory Board.

1.The number of Brentwood residents over 65 increased by 34 percent between 2000 and 2010. According to the city’s 2030 plan, many seniors no longer want to maintain the minimum one-acre properties they’ve lived in for years, and would prefer smaller, age-specific communities. What changes to existing zoning rules, if any, would you support to accommodate senior housing?

Little: As we strive to create zoning that will allow for senior housing, we also must continue to do it in a way that protects and continues our strict development standards that has made our Brentwood unique, aesthetically pleasing and a wonderful place to live and raise a family. We already have OSRD-IP in the zoning that was meant to allow for this type of house, but due to desirability of Brentwood as a place to live, these units are always of great value. We also explored age-restricted communities and smaller lots, but never obtained a wide spread consensus of what the senior housing ordinances and regulations should look like. I am committed to continue to study, work and explore ways to facilitate senior housing while staying true to Brentwood’s high development standards.

2.What are the most effective ways to help improve traffic congestion?

Little: The traffic is best handled by seeking road, signalization and intersection improvements, and being very wise about what we allow to be developed. Having received a federal grant to study signalization on Old Hickory Boulevard and partnering with Metro to better coordinate  those traffic signals, should help with traffic flow. There needs to be discussion on the McEwen extension and we are already establishing money in our Capital Improvement plans to try to get this project going in the next two to four years. When completed, this should help take some pressure off other thoroughfares.

3.How would you balance the city’s continuing build-out of residential and commercial development with the demand for parks and green space in coming years?

Little: During my term, I’ve been proud to play a role in adding the Flagpole Park and Wikle Park in the last couple of years, and support and approve the extensive projects at Smith Park and improvements at Crockett Park, Granny White Park, and Owl Creek Park. As my record shows, fiscal responsibility, excellent budgeting and very wise decisions on developing lead to being prepared when the opportunity arises to acquire park land and green space.