Now that the results of the Development Review Process Evaluation Committee have been “accepted and endorsed” by the Farragut Mayor and Board of Aldermen, it would be constructive for the community to discuss the question of where do we go from here? First I suggest that Farragut residents read the minutes of the DRPEC, which can be found at http://www.townoffarragut.org/review-final.pdf
Reading carefully through the minutes, I have found suggestions from the DRPEC committee that bear further consideration. The most important suggestions that should receive more review by the Town of Farragut and Farragut residents listed by committee member are:
Mike Haynes:
~ Should have annual workshops for the development community to train them on Town requirements and explain why the regulations exist.
Fred Jones:
~ Staff is very knowledgeable, but they are overworked and he recommends adding another planner.
Joel Garber:
~ Timeliness of review and communications must be improved. Staff review comments should be sent to the developer at least seven (7) days prior to planning commission meetings.
Bob Hill:
~ Do not forget that the Town was formed due to residents’ dissatisfaction with the development process of Knox County. We need to keep residents involved in the process. Town/citizenship participation has to be a priority.
Harold Cannon
~ Discontinue bi-monthly plan commission meetings and go to one meeting per month, with development review meetings similar to Knox MPC.
David Wooley:
~ A clear message about the staff’s obligations/responsibilities from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The Board and planning commission need to review ordinances and regulations to be certain that they reflect the Board’s desires.
I feel this was a great start, but more work must be done. One of the key decisions of the DRPEC was to create a new position of Assistant Town Administrator who would report to Farragut Town Administrator Dan Olson. I feel this is not the best return on investment for the Town of Farragut. Steve Hildebrand, Farragut Municipal Planning Commission member is quoted from a letter he wrote to the FBMA, “Regarding recommended actions, I do not see the value in adding a new staff person to oversee all of the development process. The current Town Administrator should provide the functions requested of this position. I believe there should be additions to the staff in Engineering and Community Development.” I agree with Mr. Hildebrand. I feel that salary for the new position of Assistant Town Administrator could pay for almost two new staff members, one in Engineering and one in Community Development, and would provide a better end result and a better value for the Town of Farragut.
I also agree with Harold Cannon, attorney John King, and Farragut Town Engineer Darryl Smith that the most important single improvement to the current system is to “Discontinue bi-monthly plan commission meetings and go to one meeting per month, with development review meetings similar to Knox MPC.” Unfortunately, the committee chose not to implement this suggestion. I urge the FBMA to reconsider this key issue. This will improve the process and the turnaround and is the simplest and most cost effective suggestion that has been made.
Architect and DRPEC committee member David Wooley suggested a review of the ordinances to make sure they reflect the FBMA’s desires. I urge the FBMA and MPC to review the existing ordinances to make sure they reflect the desires of the residents and voters of the Town of Farragut. Our Town was formed due to “residents’ dissatisfaction with the development process of Knox County.” When I look at the development in the Turkey Creek area, I have no problems with the signage ordinances. Why can the Town of Farragut not adopt signage that will bring and keep businesses in our town?
In the Farragut PressTalk, a caller commented on the old Frontier Market next to the U-Haul and how it is an eyesore. Yet our existing Town ordinances make this property almost impossible to sell or develop. Ordinances for setbacks and landscaping make it difficult if not impossible to develop commercial property on less than two acres. So do our existing ordinances create eyesores and blighted properties like the old Frontier Market? Why not review these ordinances and see if improvements can be made?
Concerned Citizens for Responsible Growth and Development now has a blog. You can comment on these issues and become part of the discussion at http://www.ccrgd.blogspot.com/
