Park access road raises questions
A proposed road through Farragut’s new park property on McFee Road near Boyd Station Road has sparked controversy over whether the project complies with federal grant requirements.
Resident Kimberlie Parks raised concerns about the road, which would provide access to property retained by the family that sold the land to the town, during the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Thursday, Oct. 22.
“The $2.75 million [federal grant] reimbursed us for buying land,” Parks said. “The contract checks one box — land acquisition — and the budget has exactly one line, purchase of 55 acres. I looked for a road, a roundabout, a deadline to build by 2027. They aren’t in there.”
Parks said federal law requires the 55 acres to remain available for public outdoor recreation permanently.
She said two documents were recorded with the property deeds. One provides the Scott family with a 50-foot easement across the property while the other limits what the town can do with the 15 acres donated by the family.
“The Park Service manual says granting property rights for private use on grant land is a ‘conversion.’ Conversions need federal approval,” she said.
Vice Mayor Greg Wiberley also questioned the proposed road, noting the property
had previously been described as difficult to develop because of a sinkhole, creek, wooded areas and lack of road access.
“We get into what is the real hurry here,” Wiberley said. “Shouldn’t Ms. Parks’ comments and documentation be taken seriously?”
Wiberley asked Mayor Alex Cain to direct town staff to create a project page on the town’s website for the park and include Parks’ documentation.
Town attorney Tom Hale defended the agreement, explaining the easement was part of the original land purchase negotiated between the town and the Scott family.
“When this agreement was reached between the Town and the Scotts to do this transaction, it was documented in a Letter of Intent that was approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen,” Hale said.
He said the board subsequently held a meeting and workshop before approving the contract.
Hale noted little undeveloped land remains in Farragut and that the Scott family agreed to sell 55 acres to the town while donating another 15 acres.
“Part of the consideration for that was that they have an easement across the property so they could access McFee Road from their property, which sat to the west of the 70 acres involved in the transaction,” he said.
Hale said the federal grant was awarded with full knowledge of the easement.
“The grant was made with full knowledge that there was an easement that would allow the Scotts to get to McFee Road,” he said.
Under the agreement, the town would pay to construct the road to the Scott family’s property, while the family would pay to connect its property to the road.
“This was all very well-documented, very well-explained three or four times in public meetings,” Hale said.
He defended the purchase, noting the $2.75 million grant covered approximately half the town’s acquisition cost.
“I don’t understand how anybody can think that’s a bad deal,” Hale said. “It’s a perfectly grand deal for the Town.”
Alderman Drew Burnette disputed the suggestion that the property was unsuitable for development.
“There’s absolutely nothing undevelopable about that property,” Burnette said.
He pointed to similar terrain at McFee Park and Mayor Bob Leonard Park, both of which have sinkholes.
The discussion also addressed claims the park project must be completed by 2027.
Cain said the issue arose during a public meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20, when residents questioned information circulating about a possible deadline.
“I’ve not heard anyone from the Town [give a project deadline],” Burnette said. “Just talk with staff … or ask us [the Board].”
Cain also acknowledged concerns that the proposed road appeared to cut through the middle of the park property to reach the Scott family’s land.
Hale emphasized that the design remains preliminary.
“It’s just a concept,” he said. “These projects don’t happen overnight. They take a long time … we’re just studying it at the moment.”
