VOL. 8 NO. 37 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Anders retains commission chair Knox County Commissioner Brad Anders will serve another term as the commission chair following a challenge by Dave Wright. Anders had support from Brad Anders Commissioners Richard Briggs, Mike Brown, Amy Broyles, Sam McKenzie and Randy Smith, while Wright got votes from Ed Brantley, Charles Busler, Jeff Ownby and Bob Thomas. Anders represents District 6 which includes Solway, Karns and Hardin Valley. Wright, who was elected vice chair, represents District 8 which includes East Knox County.
IN THIS ISSUE Saying goodbye to Joy McCroskey More than 1,500 people turned out at a reception at the City County Building to pay tribute to Joy McCroskey, who was retiring from her position as a court clerk. After nearly 50 years in the clerk’s office, McCroskey is an encyclopedia of county government. If she writes her story it probably would classify as fiction because nobody would believe what has gone on could be true.
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September 17, 2014
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Farragut officials talk apartments By Wendy Smith Even though Mayor Ralph McGill opened a discussion of proposed changes to the town’s Multi-Family Residential District (R-6) by declaring that the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen was not approving land for apartments, residents lined up to speak out against a possible multi-family development on Grigsby Chapel Road. The Municipal Planning Commission has been examining the town’s R-6 zoning for several months, said Community Development Director Mark Shipley. Emma Bea Stallings The current zoning was approved in 1997, and changes are needed to reflect updates like the 2012 Comty line can’t exceed the maximum prehensive Land Use Plan. One of the town’s goals is to en- height of the principal dwelling on courage a broader range of hous- the adjacent property. New façade requirements dicing choices, like multi-family communities that are attractive to tate high-quality materials with young professionals and retirees, a significant masonry element, and developers are required to inhe said. The proposed changes align corporate at least one low-impact the ordinance’s wording with cur- development practice into a site rent plans and generally add more design. But citizens were less interested guidance to multi-family development. Buffer strips stay the same, in talking about proposed changes but new wording encourages to R-6 zoning than whether or not buildings, rather than parking, on there would be an apartment complex near them. the periphery of a development. In response to concerns about New height regulations require that buildings within 100 feet of a a development on Grigsby Charesidential or agricultural proper- pel, Alderman Ron Honken as-
Howard Primer. Photos by Wendy Smith
sured citizens that no design for the property in question has been brought before the board. Two developers asked the town to update the R-6 ordinance, but neither has submitted a plan, he said. “There’s nothing for us to vote on because we have never seen anything.” Others were generally opposed to multi-family developments. Realtor Emma Bea Stallings said it was fine to update, but not to the detriment of the town. “We don’t need apartments. People don’t want our town to change.” Howard Primer, who owns
apartment complexes in other states, spoke in favor of multifamily housing. Most things that bias people against apartments aren’t true, he said, especially if apartments are high-end. Baby boomers and millennials are attracted to multi-family housing by professional maintenance and no long-term commitment. Farragut should represent all kinds of people, not just those in million-dollar homes, he said. The board unanimously approved on first reading three ordinance changes having to do with multi-family development. The first updated R-6 zoning. The second created a new zoning district called Open Space Multi-Family Residential Overlay, which provides more flexible design standards on property with development challenges, like steep slopes or wetlands, in exchange for setting aside 50 percent of the land area for open space. Primer questioned language that would require the open space to be “untouched.” The board agreed to revise the language to require that open space be managed. The third ordinance cleaned up language regarding parking lot setbacks and lowered the required number of spaces from 2.25 per unit to 1.75.
Read Anne Hart on page A-5
100 years ago A hundred years ago, Tennessee came out of the chute with an 88-0 stroll past Carson-Newman. King College fell, 55-3. Clemson took a 27-0 hit. Tennessee took the train to Louisville and romped, 66-0. There was bitterness before the Alabama game. ...
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Read Marvin West on page B-2
Turkey Creek fun A relaxing, fun-filled Friday night was the plan for 1,043 people who gathered Sept. 12 for a Taste of Turkey Creek. More than two dozen restaurants partnered to deliver fine cuisine, great drinks and delicious desserts. Under rows of twinkling lights attendees sampled food and tapped their feet to Johnny Cash songs like “I Walk the Line.” Smiles zipped across faces of folks having a good time.
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Read Ashley Baker on page A-3
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Bishop Richard Stika says “Play ball!” with a ceremonial first pitch.
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Celebrating Family By Nancy Anderson Bishop Richard Stika called his flock to All Saints Catholic Church last Saturday for a homecoming festival followed by evening mass. The day marked the end of a year-long Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebration commemorating the Diocese’s founding 26 years ago. Hundreds of Catholic families from 51 parishes gathered to enjoy the fun-filled family festival featuring games, a climbing wall, BBQ cookoff, bounce houses and a human hamster wheel. “This event really strikes to the core of who we are as a family worshipping God together as one. We truly are one body gathering as Christians to enjoy a day of fun, re-
laxation and fellowship. It’s just that simple,” explained diocesan communications director Jim Wogan. The favorite attraction appeared to be a dunking booth containing Father Michael Woods. The father delighted the crowd with “smack talk” in his native Irish accent, exclaiming, “Oh thank God, you missed! Two free sins for you!” Of course when he eventually hit the water, he exclaimed. “Oh God bless you my children, it’s awfully hot out here!” Dripping wet, the father stopped to share the bishop’s chief message. “Bishop Stika encourages all of us to ‘Be the hand, the feet and face of Jesus’; that he asks of all his family.”
Always a good sport, Father Michael Woods takes a plunge into the cold water of a dunking booth. Photos by Nancy Anderson
To page A-3
Ricardo Espinal works his way to the top of a climbing wall.
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