Loop Apts. supporters, detractors sound off
Low-middle income housing debate, part 2
Despite some last minute e-mails to Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, asking him to rescind his letter of support for 124 low-to-moderate income apartments along Loop Road, Knox County Industrial Development Board’s Health, Education and Housing Facility Board voted 10-1 to approve developer John Huber’s Payment in Lieu of Tax request Tuesday, March 9.
Board member Paul Fortunato was the lone Board member voting against the request.
Knox County “needs more affordable housing options, particularly in this area,” stated Mandi Benedict, Constituent Services director in Knox County Mayor’s Office.
“Mayor Jacobs’ letter of support for the PILOT is simply a letter of recommendation to the Industrial Development Board.,” she added. “The authority of granting the PILOT lies within the IDB Board.”
Construction on the complex, already named Farragut Pointe, is set to begin in April. Huber owns six parcels totaling 14.4 acres just off Loop Road, which encircles at least five existing home sites.
The Knoxville GIS mapping system shows a very narrow piece of the Huber land that would connect to Loop Road just south of a significant road kink, which is located well before Loop Road transitions to Woody Drive at the two-way stop. Farragut Pointe will abut both Concord Hills and Concord Woods Villas neighborhoods.
Concord Hills opposition
Joe LaCroix, Concord Hills Homeowners Association Board member, attended the HEHF Board meeting, which was held via Zoom, as did three others from Concord Hills, including Jane Skinner and Tina San-Gil, both of whom spoke out against the issue.
In an interview, LaCroix said he felt Huber and Fortunato both had addressed his planned talking points, which is why he decided not to speak.
He also said he discovered the Farragut Pointe plans initially had been approved in 2020, and last week’s meeting was only to consider an amendment to the original proposal.
Huber had purchased additional acreage, which would allow the apartments to increase to 124 units, yet still be within zoning stipulations of 12 units or less per acre.
“They told us right off the bat they were not there to discuss zoning — only the PILOT,” LaCroix added, noting the project already is zoned for R/B (Residential/Business), which allows for a variety of uses, including multi-family and mobile homes.
Prior to the meeting, both LaCroix and Farragut resident Phil Trewhitt sent e-mails to Jacobs, asking him to rescind his letter of support.
The development “is poorly located due to there not being services within walking distance and the closest public transportation being many miles away,” Trewhitt stated.
Further, “(Loop Road), on which it is sited, does not have sidewalks and is dangerous to walk along,” he added.
It is “located on a non-engineered, substandard two-lane road with no sidewalks and very limited ability to upgrade the roadway,” LeCroix stated. “The costs associated with widening, adding sidewalks, and providing a safe environment ... will become a tremendous burden to the taxpayers of Knox County. Even if cost were not an issue, the improvement of the roadway would require moving existing homes and engineering the right-of way in such a way that current property owners would be adversely affected.”
Apartment supporters
“Knox County Engineering completed a review of the current infrastructure and did not see any significant traffic safety or capacity impact due to these proposed dwellings,” Benedict responded via e-mail. “They did recommend operational improvements of new guardrails and end treatments for sections of Loop Road. After a traffic study is complete, Knox County will require the developer to implement any other recommended improvements.
“The proposed site is a tax credit-supported development, not subsidized housing,” she added. “It will include a clubhouse, pool, laundry hook-ups and security measures. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the definition of affordable housing is when an occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing cost, including utilities. The average income range for tenants in Farragut Pointe will be approximately $33,000 to $46,000. Many of our local teachers, Sheriff’s officers and Firefighters qualify.
“Again, I understand your concerns, but the Mayor will not be withdrawing his letter.”
