letter to the editor
Tell BOMA ‘no’ to Knox Growth Policy Plan
On March 28, the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen will vote on the Knox County Growth Policy Plan. In 2020, the Mayor and Aldermen voted 4-1 to not approve the plan because doing so would greatly increase housing density in Choto and north of Farragut and would result in much more traffic congestion in Farragut.
Currently, housing density in Knox County is controlled by the Sector Plan, which limits density to three units per acre. Farragut is its own municipality and sets its own zoning rules on density. The Growth Policy Plan, if approved, will replace the Sector Plan, and in Choto and north of Farragut, housing density will increase from three units per acre to five units per acre, and in some places 12 units per acre in all areas on the Growth Policy Plan map marked Planned Growth Area.
Areas marked Rural Area density would decrease from three units per acre to two units per acre. If you will look at the Growth Policy Plan map you will see almost all of Choto and north of Farragut is in the Planned Growth Area. Planned Growth Area is marked in yellow. https://archive.knoxplanning.org/plans/PS3-K29E_MPC_Knoxville%20Farragut%20Knox%20County%20Growth%20Policy%20Plan_2000.pdf
These density numbers are from Knoxville/Knox County Planning staff member Michelle Portier. I and other Farragut residents spoke with Ms. Portier after she spoke in the workshop for the Growth Policy Plan in the Mayor and Aldermen meeting Feb. 22.
The goal of the Growth Policy Plan is to increase housing density on major roads, which can safely accommodate more traffic. Northshore Drive, Harvey Road and Choto Road do not meet those criteria.
These roads have been greatly unchanged over the last 50 years. Northshore Drive has received two roundabouts and a very small turn lane at The Cove, and that is the only improvement in 50 years. Harvey Road and Choto Road are unimproved over the last 50 years.
Consider the alarming statistics, the crash rate on Northshore Drive between Choto and Concord is already above the statewide average, and accidents along the Northshore Corridor have increased by a staggering 39 percent in recent years. Tragically, we have witnessed at least two fatal accidents in as many years, claiming the lives of Susanne Russell and Janett Guzman.
The Knox County Primary election was a referendum on the Growth Policy Plan and Advance Knox, which is an overly that is on top of the Growth Policy Plan. In District 5 there were five Republican candidates and one Democrat. Of all these candidates, only Angela Russell, who lives in Choto, attended the entire Advance Knox planning sessions.
Candidate Russell was the only candidate who opposed Advance Knox. Candidate Russell won the Republican Primary with more than twice the votes of the first runner up. Voters in District 5 are very concerned with increased housing density, and they showed that with their votes.
I urge the Farragut Mayor and Aldermen to vote down the Knox County Growth Policy Plan. This is a matter of public health and safety. Emergency services cannot reach people who need help when there is traffic gridlock. As we just saw over the weekend when the Interstate was backed up, Farragut had a huge increase in local traffic. It is not safe to have that be a daily event.
I hope each of you will call the Mayor and Aldermen and share your concerns about the Growth Policy Plan.
Mike Mitchell, Farragut
