MPC Weigel's meeting
Last Thursday the Farragut MPC workshopped the proposed Weigels expansion of the Kingston Pike and Smith Road store. Many residents from Sugarwood were present and many of them took the opportunity to speak to the MPC.
The surprise of the evening however involved a request I made to the MPC in this workshop. Actually it is a request I have made for over a year and a half in many MPC and BOMA meetings. The request is to have a traffic light at Kingston Pike and Virtue Road. Chairman Bob Hill ask Town engineer Darryl Smith if he felt the traffic light would be important in regards to the Weigel's store. Mr. Smith said he felt the time had come that the TDOT warrants could be met for this light.
Mayor Eddy Ford instructed Mr. Smith to file the application with TDOT for the traffic light. On behalf of CCRGD and all the people that use Virtue Road I would like to thank the Mayor, the MPC, and Darryl Smith for beginning the process to bring this needed traffic light to our Town.
The plan Weigel's has brought forth makes sense except for two issues. First is the requested variance for the Smith Road entrance. I recommend the MPC reject this variance. It is too close to Kingston Pike and does not allow enough cars to turn right out of Weigel's on to Smith Road. While I understand Attorney Robert Leonard's argument that this will be harder for the fuel trucks to negotiate the more important need is the safety of the customers of Weigel's.
The other issue is the right out only on Kingston Pike. That should be removed. There is another right out only just down Kingston Pike opposite the Sugarwood entrance and it is better to have only one right out only turn lane.
The Farragut MPC will vote on this issue on September 15th. Speak then or forever hold your peace.
posted by Mike @ 2:17 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Mike,
You're right.Both of the entrances you mentioned are safety issues. That corner has a dangerous ingress and egress with the Walgreens coming out on Smith road. what can we do to make a difference? Any suggestions?
Brice
On September 15th show up and let the MPC know you oppose the variance. Cars that turn left out of Weigel’s need to go to the traffic light. Otherwise they compete with the cars in the turn lane on Kingston Pike turning into Sugarwood. This creates a problem for everyone. Weigel’s is asking a lot from the people of Farragut, they should be willing to meet us half way.
Mike & Garry,
I really like your blog. I am glad to see someone bringing up the local issues in Farragut. However, I am surprised there is not more activity on your blog from the residents of Sugarwood. I would think they would use this great forum to vent and express their displeasure with the way they have been treated at the town meetings. The mayor and his hand picked commission treat them like second class citizens. It's quite pitiful. I hope the Sugarwoodians take a firmer stand and beat back the hun.
You guys keep up the good work. I will be a regular visitor.
Robin
Nice Blog guys! I will be watching closely and hope to be a regular contributor.
Rod
The entrance on Smith Road Weigel's has now is too close to Kingston Pike. Is that the entrance Weigel's wants in it's variance?
The entrance on Smith Road Weigel's has now is too close to Kingston Pike. Is that the entrance Weigel's wants in it's variance?
It is.
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Great blog. Found out about you in the Knoxville News Sentinel blog section. Do you think Weigel's will get the Smith Road variance?
Ron
Do you think Weigel's will get the Smith Road variance?
It is very possible. Weigel's attorney Bob Leonard was Farragut Town Mayor for many years. He made a passionate appeal to the MPC.
Even though Farragut Town engineer Darryl Smith has spoken out against the variance some times his advice has been over looked by the MPC and FBMA.
I think it depends on how many people take a stand on the variance. It is the single part of this plan that is poorly thought out and the variance will create a safety hazard with traffic flow. Hopefully enough people will voice their concern. I urge you to attend the meeting when the variance will be voted on. I will post the date on this blog.
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