BOMA hears Campbell Station Inn refurb ideas
Architects are recommending at least two phases to start restoring Campbell Station Inn, formerly the Russell House.
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen were updated during a workshop before its meeting, Thursday, Dec. 8. The Board took no action on the update.
David Smoak, Farragut Town administrator, said the Board purchased the home three years ago and began shoring it up but no one had any clear idea of the best use for the structure. He said the idea is to at least get the public in the home.
Lee Ingram, architect with Brewer Ingram Fuller, said Phase 1 of the project entails a conceptual usage study and master plan, which would show the optimal development of that property.
The first part of the project involves shoring up the building for safety.
“We want to stabilize it, and here are the things we need to do,” Smoak said.
“The history goes back to the 1700s, before [the house] was constructed,” Ingram said. “You wouldn’t want to use any of the things in there now.”
Rob Houser with Bender & Associates, said there are bearing walls that need to be reinforced and “everything is sagging in the middle.
“I don’t think it’s unsalvageable, but there’s quite a bit of work to be done.”
Crews also would have to conduct environmental and hazardous materials abatements, Houser said.
Architects also are suggesting building outdoor bathrooms instead of placing them in the house and having non-operating fireplaces in the house.
Smoak said the nonworking fireplaces were recommended because of a concern that the fires would be left unattended.
Following the workshop, the Board did approve unanimously an ordinance allowing outdoor fences for dog kennels.
Harriet Williams, owner of Dog Days Canine Playschool, is moving her business from beside Campbell Station Inn, formerly Russell House, to 10875 Kingston Pike, beside Sir Goony’s Family Fun Center and in the same complex as David Abbey Carpets, and wanted to have a fenced-in outdoor area.
While the ordinance includes a provision allowing an outdoor fence for such a business, it also provides measures, such as the building has to be soundproofed, the dogs must be supervised when outside, the fence must be at least 6 feet tall and be opaque so the dogs cannot see through and the fence cannot be visible from the street.
The Board also approved a revised fee schedule to use Town parks.
Sue Stuhl, Farragut Parks and Leisure Services director, said the current fee structure has two levels of renting athletic fields. One fee is for non-profit and another for profit groups.
“Many of the non-profit groups are actually subcontracting with a for-profit business to run a tournament, so the difference between the two groups is very difficult to ascertain,” Stuhl said.
She recommended, and the Board unanimously approved, charging one rate, $150 to use natural turf fields, and $300 to use synthetic fields. The Board also approved her recommendation to allow a rate per field for half-day rental, charging $85 for natural turf and $170 for synthetic fields.
On another matter, the Board unanimously approved a snow removal schedule and map.
“Many factors are taken into consideration,” Bud McKelvey, Farragut Public Works director, said. They include road evaluations, number of houses, north-facing slopes, amount of shade and trouble areas.
