Inching closer is Biddle Town Center: Phase I site plan OK’d
Following a lengthy discussion, Farragut’s Municipal Planning Commission approved The Farragut Town Center at Biddle Farms’ Phase 1 site plan Thursday, April 15, during its regular monthly meeting.
It is the latest hurdle cleared for the project, which has been moving through the Town’s zoning and approval processes since late 2019.
Developer Budd Cullom of CHM Development has been working with officials and staff on the 37-acre project, which will encompass a portion of the former Biddle Farm, on which the “old” Farragut Kroger building has sat mostly vacant for more than a decade. The Town Center itself will be accessed from Kingston Pike, across from Farragut High School, and will include an Aldi’s, along with 11 separate outbuildings specifically designed for retail and restaurant tenants.
A multi-acre “Village Green” — to be taken over by the Town when completed — will separate the Town Center from the 286 upscale apartments planned for the back portion of the property, along Brooklawn Street and South Campbell Station Road.
Cullom asked that the project be designated a Planned Community Development, which “requires providing a master concept plan,” noted Community Development director Mark Shipley in his FMPC report.
“The site plan presented at this time includes the initial work needed to complete the overall project,” the report continued. “The plan generally follows the layout of the concept plan and includes a plan for the demolition of existing (buildings),” along with plans for “grading, utilities, tree protection, lighting and landscaping.
“Subsequent site plan sets that will be presented to the Planning Commission will specifically address other building elevations and site-related components associated with those buildings.”
Shipley’s report also made note of Cullom working with FEMA on updating the Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the affected area. “Approval of the site plan will need to be subject to FEMA’s approval of these updates since the plan ultimately follows the updated maps,” the report stated.
Vice Mayor Louise Povlin, who also sits on FMPC, made a motion to approve the first phase of the site plan, with the stipulation Cullom addressed several “subject-to’s” suggested by staff, including providing a $300,000 letter of credit for erosion control, securing a TDOT access permit to work along Kingston Pike and obtaining a drainage permit fee.
According to plans, Cullom said demolition on the old Kroger shopping center is set to begin in July.
