Rezoning of Outlet Drive, paving way for new hotel, gets 5-0 BOMA vote
Developers wanting to build a new Wyndham-brand ecoSuites hotel on property along Outlet Drive, west of Cotton Eyed Joe, passed another hurdle.
On final reading, Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously in favor of approving a rezoning for the property from Regional Commercial to Regional Entertainment and Employment District during its Thursday, Aug. 8, meeting
“This item involves a request to rezone the property where the former West Park Inn had been located prior to it being demolished,” said Holley Marlowe, Town Codes Enforcement officer. “The applicant would like to construct a four-story hotel on the property and the OD-RE/E provides for a lower masonry percentage that would help make the project economically viable.
“For a building exceeding two stories and 25,000 square feet, the net façade area of the building must be at least 25 percent masonry (in the OD-RE/E District),” she said. “In contrast, the C-2 District requires that the net façade area of the building must be at least 75 percent masonry.
“When the OD-RE/E District was created, the lower masonry percentage on larger buildings considered the overall Outlet Drive corridor and the fact that a vast majority of the buildings along the corridor, much of which is not within the Town, did not include a high percentage of masonry materials,” Marlowe added. “This part of the Town is also abutting the Interstate and is physically separated from much of the Town.
Going back a month, “As noted during discussion with the Planning Commission (in July), the applicant’s desire to construct a hotel on the property being requested for a rezoning is consistent with the OD-RE/E District, and a hotel would help support the Town’s tourism program and advance the Town’s Strategic Plan under the Critical Success Factors of “Enhancing the Town’s Financial Position” and “Advancing a High-Quality and Well-Maintained Community,” Marlowe said.
Pedestrian crossing, more
Additionally, the Board approved adding $267,400 to the CIP budget for the Anchor Park pedestrian crossing project.
On another matter, the Board unanimously approved, on second reading, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund budget.
Regarding the General Fund, Town administrator David Smoak said the Public Works Department is undergoing a reorganization of duties and responsibilities.
“Public Works would be responsible for right-of-way maintenance, building maintenance and fleet maintenance,” he said.
