Letter to the editor
Dear Editor,
Back in 2020 the City of Knoxville threw out over seventy years of zoning ordinances and replaced them with brand new zoning they called “Recode”. All kinds of justifications were given but all that really happened was housing density was greatly increased.
Knox County did a copycat and “Advance Knox” began at the end of 2021, with its core comprehensive land use and transportation plan officially adopted on April 22, 2024, and taking effect on May 1, 2024. Again all kinds of justifications were given but all that really happened was housing density was greatly increased.
In January of 2026, Farragut Mayor Ron Williams ordered an update of the Farragut Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mayor Williams and the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) voted to approve a contract with consultants TSW of Atlanta for an update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) on May 7, 2026.
Mayor Ron Williams and Alderman Joe LaCroix voted in favor of the contract while Alderman Alex Cain voted against it, saying he believed action on updating the CLUP and map should wait until after the election. Vice Mayor Scott Meyer and Alderman Drew Burnette were absent.
What possible reason is there to redo the CLUP now? The road system for Farragut is already over loaded.
Very little land other than Eddy Ford’s farm next to the town hall and the remaining Biddle property on South Campbell Station Road is available. Does anyone in Farragut really want more housing density in the CLUP?
Why did Mayor Ron Williams hire TSW to redo the CLUP? TSW did in 2024 the Mixed Use Town Center Vision Plan, which had a $4.5 million dollar parking garage for Biddle Farm, $4 million dollars in town staff expenses, and trees in the middle of Kingston Pike, Campbell Station Road, and Concord Road? The Vision Plan was written as an ordinance, which meant if it was approved the town would be out $8.5 million dollars. Town residents pressured the BOMA into making the plan a resolution saving the day. We thank them.
Before the 2026 election, Mayor Williams promised “no more apartments”. Was hiring TSW a way to get away from that promise? Was that the real reason for the CLUP redo? Hire a willing consultant to give reasons why apartments should still be allowed in the Mixed Use Town Center?
~ Mike Mitchell,
Farragut, TN
