Confusion over traffic amendment has citizens upset with 4-0 BOMA vote
Confusion over an ordinance change left some residents asking Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen to postpone action during its meeting Thursday, July 11.
However, the Board voted unanimously (4-0, Alderman Scott Meyer absent) to approve an ordinance amendment requiring, when a traffic impact study is needed, to “provide additional considerations for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
“At the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Strategic Planning Retreat earlier this year, one of the top priorities under the “Advancing a High-Quality and Well-Maintained Community” critical success factor in the Town’s strategic plan was to amend the traffic impact study requirements in the “Driveways and Other Access Ways Ordinance” to include pedestrian safety,” Community Development director Mark Shipley said.
“The main objective was to ensure that, where traffic impact studies are required, consideration is given to pedestrians and bicyclists,” he added. “This would include evaluating existing facilities and addressing any impacts that may result from the action — rezoning, site development, subdivision development, etc.— that required the traffic impact study.”
Vice Mayor Louise Povlin pointed out that federal mandates require the Town to include such considerations in its ordinances for pedestrians and cyclists.
The action, on first reading, followed residents’ objections to the change (Municipal Code, Chapter 22-Article 5, regarding driveways and other access ways).
“I’m really not surprised of the language,” resident Greg Wiberley countered. “It’s a thinly disguised attempt to take land where you all didn’t succeed back in 2022 by way of easement.
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“When you say you make these ordinances in the benefit of the Town of Farragut, I haven’t felt the love over the years,” he added.
Wiberley referred to 2022, when he received a notice “you want(ed) to take an easement on my property, knowing the greenway is only specified for subdivisions.
“There’s contiguous subdivisions between (my) farm and the park,” he added. “You all didn’t bother to put a greenway through those; no, you want to come through my property — private, residential, single-family agriculture property. It seemed to me there was no authority there.”
Regarding the traffic study ordinance amendment, “I don’t see that it’s a reasonable thing,” Wiberley said. “I think this ordinance needs revision considering the action people on Turkey Creek are taking. I think you ought to table it, revisit it, look at the language.”
“I’m kind of hearing a theme,” resident Steve Williams said. “The theme is the people who have been here, the citizens, we don’t feel any love from you guys.
“We think we’re being abused,” he added. “… the whole thing of this sidewalk, you’re getting most of your money from (Tennessee Department of Transportation) coming in grants. Hey, I think you guys are smart (but) … you’re getting ready to find out a lot of grant money, you’re violating the state law by getting these grants.
“That’s going to end. You’re going to have to stick with the law and do what’s right.”
Mike Mitchell also asked for a postponement on the ordinance change. “Now is not the time to vote on this,” he said. “I think it’s premature.”
At that point, Alderman David White declared, “I’m thoroughly confused,” asking for specifics on the ordinance.
Povlin clarified: “This is about traffic study; it’s not about taking land, it’s not about building something. It’s about doing a traffic study and directing the whole transportation network.”
Shipley explained the Town requires a traffic study when a development, whether residential or commercial, would affect travel and traffic on a road. The amendment would require a traffic study not only looking at vehicles traveling, but also pedestrians and cyclists.
“It’s not promoting developing property or doing any trail,” Shipley added.
Mayor Ron Williams said the study would require counting not just the vehicles traveling a road, but also the pedestrians walking and cyclists traveling on that road.
