No 2nd-hand smoke in parks, TopGolf sign support: BOMA may OK at Jan. 13 meeting
Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved two ordinances on first reading Dec. 9 that, if approved during the Thursday, Jan. 13 meeting, would support a new multi-million dollar entertainment venue and also make Town parks safer from second-hand smoke.
Ordinance 21-19, which was unanimously recommended for approval by Farragut Municipal Planning Commission Nov. 18, will allows sign-related amendments to Farragut Municipal Code outlined in the Outlet Drive Regional Entertainment and Employment District. Specifically, the changes, requested by ARCO Murray Construction on behalf of TopGolf, would allow for signage placement at the end of a planned canopy sign.
TopGolf currently is under construction along Outlet Drive, with plans to open in July 2022.
“Current language stipulates the sign must be within 12 inches of the building,” a report from Town Community Development director Mark Shipley stated. “The structural canopy extends five feet from the building.”
• Additionally requested was the ability to have larger signage on the ends of the TopGolf building itself, “to help balance the signage in relation to the scale of the overall building,” Shipley’s report states. “Current language associated with these signs provides for a sign area based on a 1:1 ratio of a sign area to the width of the building elevation on which the sign is to be mounted.”
Also requested was clarification for qualities of a master sign to front Interstate 40/75.
2. Provides for a 2:1 rather than 1:1 ratio of sign area to building width for the two other building elevations that are not the main building elevation for a regional recreational and entertainment facility.
• Ordinance 21-22 will amend and expand the current prohibition on the use of tobacco products on Town parks, pubic playgrounds, public greenways or pubic property accessible to use by youth.
“The existing ordinance that prohibits smoking on the grounds of a playground would be replaced by a prohibition of smoking, the use of tobacco products and the use of vapor products on the grounds of a public park, public playground, public greenway or any public property accessible to use by youth,” noted a report from Trevor Hobbs, assistant to the Town administrator; Town Parks and Athletics Council voted unanimously to recommend ordinance adoption.
The amended ordinance is in response to Gov. Bill Lee signing Public Chapter 574 into law May 27, 2021, (amending a March 10, 2020 statute allowing local governments to prohibit smoking on playgrounds) which now expands the authority of local governments, allowing them to prohibit use of tobacco and vapor products on greenways, parks “and other public property accessible to use by anyone under the age of 21.”
