Board answers ‘Forum’ challenge, with passion, on McFee property purchase
Debates continue on Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s June 22 decision to enter into a letter of intent to purchase 55 acres along McFee Road as a park.
During the “Citizen Forum” portion at the end of the Board’s meeting Thursday, Aug. 24, two residents, Michael Wilson and Pat Lee, spoke against purchasing the property.
“The purchase was first discussed in a budget workshop on April 13,” Wilson said. “It was not included in the draft budget at the time. It was something Mr. (David) Smoak (Town administrator) brought up during that meeting.
“Two weeks later, a line item of $5.6 million was added for the purchase of this land,” Wilson added. “It was passed in early June, and a letter of intent was issued later that month.”
Wilson asked why BOMA is “centralizing our parks in an area where more than half of the local population would come from Knox or Loudon counties?”
”Why are parents and kids in neighborhoods, such as Fox Run, Fox Den, Ivey Farms, Saddle Ridge and others not benefiting from a park close to their homes?” he also asked.
Wilson contended “parks ought to be planned just like roads and other uses. … Centralizing parks in the southwestern corner of Town is not in the best interest of Farragut residents and it is not the best use of these funds.”
He urged the Board to conduct a workshop at its September meeting to consider those factors.
“Let the residents have a say in where the next Town park should be placed,” he added.
Likewise, Lee asked for a workshop to garner community input.“Are you aware there is a nearly 2-acre active sinkhole on the McFee land purchase site?” he asked. “Is there a reason it isn’t mentioned in any communication discussions as of this date?
“How does it impact the access easement to the road?” Lee added. “Are you aware Knox County School (Board reprensentative) Susan Horn backed out of the purchase of the site due to the extreme cost to put the road in?”
He also asked why the Board didn’t accept Alderman David White’s initial request to delay the vote to allow for a workshop to ask the residents if they want to purchase this land.
He also reminded the Board two of its members did not attend the June meeting when the vote was made to approve a letter of intent.
“I respectfully request this decision (to approve the letter of intent) be denied and Alderman White’s request for a workshop with residents to hear their opinions be reconsidered,” Lee said.
White said he had no knowledge of there being a sinkhole on the property.
Having a sinkhole “certainly makes it less desirable,” he added.
Wilson pointed out there will be two public meetings — 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. — Thursday, Aug. 31, in Farragut Community Center regarding the Mixed Use Town Center.
“Why can’t we have the same thing for this land and get more people’s opinion on what we ought to do?” White asked.
Defending decision
Mayor Ron Williams said the Board already had numerous workshops regarding that end of Town. “Citizens were able to come,” he said.
“In 2019, we updated the McFee Road corridor (on the) Future Land Use Map,” Vice Mayor Louise Povlin added. “We received, overwhelmingly, (input from) residents in that area who did not want any more housing developments. The only way we can control property is to purchase it.”
“Are we going to buy every piece of land over there?” White asked.
“This one was offered to us,” Povlin answered. “The property owner came to us, after the (School Board) deal fell through and asked us if we were interested. All he required was an easement access.”
“All I’m asking for is a meeting,” White said.
“Go talk to the residents out there,” Povlin said. “I’m hearing from residents on McFee Road that this is important to them.”
“The School Board pulled out of this for a reason,” Lee retorted.
“They had to build a road,” Povlin said. “We don’t have to build a road.
“I am worn out,” she added. “I thought this (purchase) would be a no-brainer for this community to take this land, this heavily wooded area, and preserve it.”
“What have we been hearing on Next Door for the last three years: ‘Oh, you’re taking away everybody’s environment … you’re chopping down trees.’
“Regardless of what people are saying — fearmongling — when the school was making this deal, the school was going to have the far west property; Saddlebrook was going to have the inner property — 55 acres — and they were going to develop it as a neighborhood,” Povlin said. “That is the option. I’m hearing from residents on McFee Road that this is a struggle.
“I’m not hearing a groundswell from McFee not to do this (park purchase) and they are the ones impacted,” she added.
