Updated ‘seniors upscale,’ Center plans heard by FMPC
Horne, who owns Republic Newspapers, Inc. (parent company of farragutpress), has proposed a seniors-only upscale multi-family project on 20 acres of a 40-acre tract just north of the old Ingles property, and also is hoping to develop AGORA, a mixed-used town center concept that would include commercial and retail along with condos and multi-family residential along Kingston Pike on 68.31 acres currently owned by former Town Mayor Eddy Ford and his wife, Linda.
He is asking for zoning changes to both properties: on the 20-acre tract, from R-1 (Rural Single Family residential) to R-6 (Multi-Family residential); and on the Ford property, a portion of the property currently zoned O-1 (Office) to C-1 (General Commercial), then a portion currently zoned O-1, B-1 (Buffer), R-1 and R-2 (General Single Family residential) to R-6 and a portion currently zoned R-2 to be rezoned to R-4 (attached single family residential).
Senior multi-family project
Horne submitted updated drawings for both projects prior to the meeting. On the senior multi-family project, which shows 11 multi-family units for a total of 240 proposed apartments, along with 11 single-family homes bordering the development, the updates now also show an access road connection to Boring Road.
Eight e-mail comments opposing the requested change were read into the record.
A letter from Jon and Michelle Holztrager of nearby Baldwin Park stated, in part, “We object to the plans outlined (for both of these projects), and to the near continuous parade of proposals for building more apartments in Farragut.
“The plans presented tonight have not addressed the problems identified in the last round. Those include inconsistency with surrounding residential density, lack of transitions, negative traffic impacts, and open space requirements.
“The only major change since the last time these proposals were presented is that we now have a town center moving forward that includes plenty of multi-family. I fail to see the need for more apartments in Farragut.
“lnstead of trying to force fit multi-family projects into low- density residential areas, how about we ask Horne Properties to build something we actually need — like smaller single family homes?”
“What is really needed in Farragut are more low-density small single homes and townhomes,” stated an e-mail from Robert and Diana Osborne, also of Baldwin Park. “These would sell very quickly right now. Demand for single homes is very high right now. “
“Can we hear from the applicant on why he didn’t address or discuss the possible change to the Land Use map?” asked Town Mayor Ron Williams, who also is an FMPC member. “I’m kind of at a loss why we have this back again, without this type of discussion.”
“We wanted to present to you tonight, the addition of the future widening of Boring Road from Kingston Pike to our new entrance,” said Horne Properties executive vice president Michael Patterson. “Also, with that being an incentive, we would keep the 12 units per acre, which was what it was prior to amendment of the Land Use Plan a few months ago. The 2012 Land-Use Plan allowed up to 12 units per acre.
“It will be deed-restricted for 50 and older seniors that will be recorded for senior living apartment homes,” said Patterson in a separate interview. “Once it is deed-restricted and recorded at the courthouse it cannot be changed.”
“Don’t forget, the Land Use Plan, in 2012, called for 6-to-12 (units per acre) until just recently,” Horne added. “Something happened, you made changes on this, and without consulting the land owner.
“That is why we resubmitted the 12 per acre, and we would pay for widening Boring Road up to the entrance to the single family section,” he added. “Maybe the Town would pay for rest of Boring Road widening to Baldwin Park.
“We can go for an up or down vote on this, and if the Planning Commission doesn’t approve it, and doesn’t want Boring Road widened, we could go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. We’re pretty adamant about being treated fairly. This land was always meant for medium density. We are proposing widening of Boring Road to the entrance of the single-family section.”
AGORA discussed
Changes to the site plan on the planned AGORA development, a mixed-use town-center that means “gathering place,” showed an addition of attached single-family condo townhomes, which would provide a buffer and transition from Park Place and Glen Abbey around the proposed multi-family portion of the project.
A single e-mail from the Park Place Homeowners Board stated it represented the entire 40 units within the development in opposing the project, primarily citing the lack of proper buffers and transitions.
However, Patterson pointed out Horne’s proposal would abut only an estimated 25 homes, and “we are now providing the transition with condominiums.” FMPC chair Rita Holladay said she would like to see more commercial retail for sales-tax revenue.
Horne asked that both projects be placed on the April 15 FMPC agenda for a vote.
