Variance obtained: Echo Suites prepares for Outlet Drive site
After more discussion, this time by Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Cox Universal Group got a variance on its entrance to the proposed Echo Suites hotel it plans to build at 11244 Outlet Drive.
In the end, the Board voted unanimously during its meeting Thursday, Nov. 14, to approve a 200-foot variance for the driveway.
Still, Alderman Alex Cain was concerned about future development along the Outlet Drive.
“My concerns about how today’s decision will affect the future development along Outlet Drive,” he said. “My fear is that the undeveloped property across the street will get developed by Knox County and there will be additional driveway connections causing more issues.”
Community Development director Mark Shipley agreed it was a factor that needed to be considered.
“At the Oct.17 Planning Commission meeting, a site plan was conditionally approved for an Echo Suites hotel on a portion of the property to the west of Cotton Eyed Joe off Outlet Drive,” Shipley said. “The applicant requested that the access be from an existing abandoned access that had served the previous hotel (West Park Inn) that was demolished several years ago.
“As part of the discussion with the Planning Commission, the staff noted that the applicant’s requested access was only 110 feet from the nearest access along Outlet Drive that was situated to the northeast and referenced as Corporate Point Way,” he added, also noting access from another driveway is required to be 400 feet away.
The applicant “had requested to use this existing access instead of moving it to the west where it would be at least 400 feet from Corporate Point Way due to topography — there is a significant grade change in the western portion of the lot near Outlet Drive — and the fact that they are subdividing the lot and the access will be shared with a new lot they will create to the east,” the Community Development director said.
“This would help centralize the access for the two lots,” Shipley concluded.
However, Shipley noted if they move the access to the 200-foot variance, he thinks it would be more centralized.
“After a long discussion, the Planning Commission agreed with the staff that the existing abandoned access was too close to Corporate Point Way and could create issues in the center turn lane,” he said.
