Town, city, county combine forces to reinvigorate growth
After an almost two decade hiatus, the Knoxville-Farragut-Knox County Growth Policy Plan Committee has been reconvened, and Farragut Mayor Ron Williams, Vice Mayor Louise Povlin and Town Administrator David Smoak attended its first meeting Monday, April 22, in Knoxville City-County Building looking eventually update a unified growth plan.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who was elected last September, said he re-convened the committee at the request of Knox County Commission.
“The (current plan) is obsolete and has become an obstacle for good planning,” Jacobs said earlier this year when he announced plans for re-instation. “We need to focus on 21st century planning tools that will help Knox County deal with current and future circumstances while also encouraging retail growth in the community.”
The 14-member committee’s membership also includes Knoxville City and county officials, along with representatives from the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Utilities Board and the Soil Conservation Office, among others.
During the meeting, Jacobs introduced an amendment to the plan, which would give Knox County governance over property in Knox County, allowing “the county more flexibility when making decisions” regarding planning and zoning.
“The amendment that is proposed does not, in any way, affect or modify the planning of the City of Knoxville or the Town of Farragut,” Jacobs made clear in an earlier memo.
Initially established by state law to “eliminate annexation out of fear and establish incentives to annex where appropriate,” according to documentation provided by Jacobs’ office, the committee was to have met for policy review every three years.
But for reasons unknown or unexpressed, the governing bodies had not convened since 2000.
Jacobs specifically addressed the need for Knox County to be able to provide necessary infrastructure in support of continued business and residential growth.
“We spend a lot of money on infrastructure,” he said. “Especially more so when things take off” and areas experience rapid growth. “This will help us make better and more effective use of taxpayer dollars.”
Next steps will include two open meetings to seek community input on plans going forward.
