Opinion
November 4, 2026 by Joe LaCroix
Dear Editor,
Since 1980, Farragut has had a development plan created with strong public involvement. This process has worked. It has allowed our town to grow while protecting its residential character. However, the current plan is now outdated and a guiding document that carries the Town into the future is needed.
Protecting Our Community
Farragut was founded to protect its residential character from the haphazard development Knox County was known for. One of the Town's first actions was adopting the Community Development Plan to limit growth that did not match the community's wishes. The Town has kept updating that plan with public input ever since.
History of Planning
• 1982: The Town adopted its first zoning ordinance and zoning map.
• 1991: An extensive community development plan, Farragut 2000, was adopted.
• 2001: The Farragut Land Use and Transportation Policy Plan was adopted.
• 2012: The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was adopted, with strategies and a future land use map (FLUM).
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November 4, 2026 by
Dear Editor,
The Town of Farragut held its 70-Acre Park Master Plan Neighborhood Input Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Great Lawn Pavilion at McFee Park.
Residents were shown a modified draft concept plan based on an online survey of 723 responses, about 80% of them from confirmed Farragut residents. Missing, however, were the results of the previous meeting, where attendees submitted feedback on the proposed park.
Residents gave their feedback once again at this meeting. This time I photographed and transcribed the input, and I’ve summarized it here. Several major themes emerged:
Keep it natural. A significant number of comments asked for “trails only” and said keeping the trees was critical. One suggestion was to model the park on Knoxville’s Third Creek Greenway, with “one restroom, trailhead parking, natural old growth and native fauna,” as a sensible base concept.
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November 4, 2026 by
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