‘Smart growth, planning’ is Frazier’s focus
Hardin Valley resident Kimberly Frazier is working to help resolve traffic and mobility issues.
The co-founder of Hardin Valley Planning Advocates is not doing it alone, but as ringleader she has helped bring about some very impactful changes, including rallying grass- roots support of Knoxville-Knox County Planning’s ongoing Hardin Valley Mobility Study and helping revive the nearly 20-years dormant Knoxville-Farragut-Knox County Growth Policy Plan Committee.
Frazier, a 21-year Hardin Valley resident who lives in that community with her husband, Russ, and sons, Jackson and Maddox, said her interest began in earnest about five years ago when the school overcrowding and traffic congestion issues really came to the forefront.
“Our growth outpaced our infrastructure,” she said. “I started looking at the enrollment and development process, and the ease of applying for zoning changes and sector plan amendments.”
She said the inconsistency was glaring, as was one other fact: no current comprehensive growth plan exists.
“We need a singular vision and focus,” she said. “It has been that issues are decided on a case-by-case basis, which has left us with fragmented development.”
Additionally, “no one was reaching out to the right people, and no one seemed to know where to start.
“I just jumped in with both feet, and on my own found out who to talk to, to help make positive changes.”
Frazier said the process was not quick, but she patiently immersed herself in it by attending numerous county meetings, along with face-to-face encounters with officials and developers on her own.
“We pushed for the Traffic Mobility study (which was proposed and sponsored by Hardin Valley’s Knox County Commissioner Brad Anders, 6th District), and worked with the MPC, asking them what could we do to help,” she said.
So far, two public Mobility Study meetings have taken place, along with numerous online suggestions as Knoxville-Knox County Planning works to determine potential solutions.
“The meetings were (among)the most attended meetings they have had,” she said. “The first one had over 400, and over 1,800 participated online.”
The group also advocated for the Growth Policy Committee to reconvene, and the revised group had its first meeting last month.
Frazier, who co-founded HVPA with Sage Kohler, estimated she spends well more than 25 hours a week advocating for Hardin Valley’s pursuit of “smart growth,” which is defined as a way to purposely direct growth and development in an intentional, comprehensive way.
“We would like to see a growth plan that is static enough to be enforceable, but fluid enough to adapt and change in the economy — and you have to protect property rights,” she said. “It’s a real balancing act, but I believe it can be obtained.”
The HVPA has a large Facebook presence, where Frazier regular updates the organizations’ followers. Most recently, she and other HVPA members attended the Thursday, May 9, Knox County Municipal Planning Commission meeting, unsuccessfully opposing two agenda items relating to rezoning requests in Hardin Valley, which if constructed according to plan will bring a condo development and apartments to the already overcrowded community.
“This is my full-time job now,” she said. “Community service is my passion. My dad said, ‘if you don’t like how things are done, do something about it.’
“I’m doing something about it. I love it,” she continued. “I love the opportunity to help demonstrate what good planning can provide.
“It is not a sprint — it’s a marathon.”
Frazier is not just committed to Hardin Valley, either. She also is working with individuals in other Knox County communities who have similar issues and goals on a proposed alliance.
“Other people have the same mission and vision. This is not just a Hardin Valley issue — it is a county-wide issue,” she said.
Overall, Frazier is very optimistic about how Knox County’s growth can be more streamlined.
“I am really seeing a shift and really positive steps forward in this area,” she said. “The fact that the County Commission supported the (Mobility) study and re-convening the Growth Policy Plan makes me hopeful it will become a priority for the county.”
Farragut Mayor Ron Williams is among Frazier’s fans and supporters, and has asked if and when she might run for the 6thDistrict Knox County Commission seat.
She said that is not in the cards for her at the moment, as she has decided to back another candidate. But as for the future, she is not opposed to the thought.
“I know God is leading me to serving this county ... just not quite sure where. (I’m) praying faithfully that He will continue to guide me.”
