Farragut man does 10,000-mile U.S. hike in special, ethnic attire
Farragut’s Municipal Planning Commission will consider a rezoning request during its regular Thursday, Jan. 20, meeting which, if approved, would be the first step in constructing a mixed-use development along North Watt Road.
The issue to rezone 9.22 acres at 421 N. Watt Road from General Commercial to Neighborhood Convenience Commercial was a discussion-only topic during both the Town Staff/Developer meeting Tuesday, Nov. 30, and the FMPC meeting Thursday, Dec. 16 — and is on the Thursday, Jan. 20 agenda for discussion and public hearing.
The property fronts “North Watt Road within the Town and extends westward into Loudon County, where it also has frontage along Harrison Lane,” according to a Town report.
Tentative plans shared with Town officials proposed 40 attached single-family town homes along with space for commercial/retail construction and a community use playground.
“It is consistent with the Future Land Use map,” Town Community Development director Mark Shipley said during the Nov. 30 meeting. “Conceptually, it shows a mix of residential and non-residential construction ... looks to be (similar] to what they are doing at the Swan Farm.”
Pointing specifically to the planned playground, Shipley commented, “one objective is to blend the residential and non-residential to have a common amenity they can both share.”
Several county, state and federal races are up for election this year, as are the offices of Farragut mayor and two aldermen seats — one each in the North and South wards.
Current Mayor Ron Williams had indicated he will be running for re-election, as has North Ward Alderman Scott Meyer.
South Alderman Ron Pinchok is term limited and cannot seek re-election.
No other potential candidates had formally announced at presstime Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Farragut’s Outlet Drive Entertainment district will be adding a hotel in the months ahead.
A SKORE brand hotel is to be built on the east side of the under-construction TopGolf property as part of the Farragut Station development.
Its site plan will be considered by Farragut’s Municipal Planning Commission during its Thursday, Jan. 20, meeting.
Rusty Baksa and Chad Brown of Land Development Solutions attended the Town Staff/Developer meeting Tuesday, Jan. 4 to discuss plans. The four-story hotel will feature a bar and gym, will offer 106 rooms and include 16,000 square feet per floor.
• At 10:22 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, a Knox County Sheriff’s Office unit observed an alleged violator’s vehicle, black in color, traveling on Lovell Road near Parkside Drive. His vehicle changed two lanes without using the vehicle turn signal, then pulled into the McDonalds parking lot.
Officer initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the alleged violator, who provided necessary documents. A check trough LEIDS confirms alleged violator’s driver license “is suspended for multiple violations, including failure to pay child-support and failure to provide insurance. He was issued a misdemeanor citation and released,” the KCSO report stated.
• Farragut Museum, 11408 Municipal Center Drive in Town Hall, is taking a hiatus as it prepares for its newest exhibit, “The Craftsmen of Yesterday,” featuring antique farm tools and other implements.
The museum, which closed Monday Jan. 10, will remain closed through Monday, Jan. 31, and will re-open at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1, with the exhibit. “Visitors will travel back in time to see the fascinating tools used by farmers in this area during the early to mid-1900s,” the Town’s website stated. “In conjunction with the exhibit, the Museum will unveil a country store scene on the vignette.”
A special “Friends of the Museum” preview is scheduled for Jan. 31. Those who are not already a Friend of the Farragut Museum and would like to attend the event may sign up during the preview. Admission is free and open to the public.
Typical museum hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 865-966-7057.
