Springs at Farragut could be springing up soon

The proposed multi-family development, Springs at Farragut
A planned multi-family home community, Springs at Farragut, is in the very early stages of planning, while officials contemplate rezoning the property.

A proposal for the development — which would bring 10 high-end multi-family buildings (25 acres) and future duplexes (7.7 acres) to a 32-acre tract off Boring Road, just behind the existing Ingles shopping center — will come before the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission Thursday, Sept. 19, as a discussion point only, as Town officials consider creating a new zoning ordinance to accommodate it.

Currently zoned B-1, R-1 and R-2, the property could be rezoned under the Town’s current R-6 Multi-Family Residential District, which allows for up to 12 units per acre.

However, Community Development director Mark Shipley said the property might be a better fit with an under-consideration Medium Density Multi-Family Residential District instead.

“We are looking into creating [that district] but we are still in the early stages,” Shipley said.

The property is owned by Farragut developer Doug Horne of Horne Properties, who also owns Republic Newspapers, Inc., parent company of farragutpress.

Horne’s company has been working with Continental Properties of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, which has created the Springs at Farragut concept and design and would build the multi-family units if the property is successfully rezoned, according to John Baker, director of engineering and construction for Horne Properties.

He presented the initial plans during the regular monthly staff/developer meeting Tuesday, Sept. 3, in Farragut Town Hall.

“We are taking the first steps in what will likely be a lengthy process,” Baker said.

“The Town of Farragut’s Future Land Use Plan calls for this property to be ‘medium density’ of 6-12 dwelling units per acre,” he added. “This rezoning request is for multi-family at a medium density of 8 units per acre.”

Baker said he and other officials with whom he has spoken are optimistic about the prospect of working with the Wisconsin company.

“Mr. Horne has a long-standing relationship with Continental Properties and likes them and their work,” Baker said, noting the apartments have been designed with the key millennial demographic in mind.

“Millennials haven’t had a lot of location options, especially in the Town of Farragut,” he added. “But they are coming here and moving here, and would like to have a place to live, short term, while they save money to buy a home.”