posts
Thanks to All!
I want to sincerely thank all who posted signs, made phone calls, fretted and fumed in an effort to prevent a scar on this beautiful neighborhood we call home. Let us never take for granted what we have on the “quiet side of the river”. This effort should inspire all of us to commit to be vigilant for anything that would negatively impact our niche of the world. And may we wish a similar result for our friends in Fountain City and Bluegrass.
Forrest Orr
The cell tower application for Lakemoor Hills – WITHDRAWN!
Dick Graf, who is returning home from South Carolina has been on the phone with Mary Miller, the attorney representing Branch Towers, LLC. They sent a letter to the MPC (and Dick called to confirm they have received it) saying that they are withdrawing the application “because they can’t meet the grading requirements.”
LHHA and its cell tower committee, the 7 neighbors who brought the lawsuit, Forrest Orr and his team of activists who produced the signs and got the letter mailed to all residents of the peninsula, Pat and Alex Shivers, John King – all of us can relax and smile.
Please take down the signs but save them as Branch is looking for another site. That could be a long process and Mary Miller remarked that hopefully it won’t be in Lakemoor Hills.
We all believe this is a significant victory for our neighborhood and demonstrates what informed neighbors can do to preserve the beauty of the “Quiet side of the River.”
Thank you!
Charlie Mulligan on behalf of the travelling Dick Graf.
Large brown dog….
Wandered into 3929 Maloney Rd. Tennessee department of health collar. Tuesday, July 7 at 9:10 PM. If it’s yours, please come and get it.
Toby Tumpson
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 23 – Tuesday July 7, 2015
PDF Version: http://bit.ly/NeighborhoodNewsletterVol8No23
1. National Night Out Set for Tuesday, October 6
2. Gibbs Drive Faces Rezoning Request at MPC Thursday
3. Agenda Available for July BZA Meeting
4. Get Moving, Visit Public Art, Take Selfies, Win a Gift Basket
5. UT Offers Youth $100 for Transit Camp
6. CAC Seeks Volunteer Drivers
7. Correction: Election Dates
8. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. News & calendar deadline: 5 p.m. Mondays.
1. National Night Out Set for Tuesday, October 6
It is not too early to begin making plans for National Night Out, which the City of Knoxville will observe on Tuesday, October 6.
During National Night Out, neighborhood groups host potluck suppers, picnics, and other events to celebrate the strength of community and send a message to would-be thieves and con artists that neighbors keep an eye out for them and watch out for one another.
This is a nationwide effort promoted by the National Association of Town Watch (www.natw.org), which suggests that the event be held either the first Tuesday of August or the first Tuesday of October. Due to the likelihood of thunderstorms and hot temperatures in August, the Knoxville Police Department observes the event in October each year.
You can register your event with the KPD Safety Education Unit by notifying Cheri Intveld at 215-1510 or [email protected]. This will ensure that KPD schedules officers to attend your event. Be sure to give the name and phone number of your contact person and organization, the time your event will begin and end, and the exact location.
2. Gibbs Drive Faces Rezoning Request at MPC Thursday
A request to rezone a residential property at the end of Gibbs Drive is among the items on the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) agenda at the July meeting that starts at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the Large Assembly Room of the City County Building.
On the western end of Gibbs Drive, Smith-Lindsey Development LLC, 2230 Duncan Road in Knoxville, is asking that land at the corner of North Broadway and Gibbs Drive be rezoned from R-1 (low-density residential) to C-3 (general commercial) “for any use permitted by C-3 zoning.” Sector Plan and One Year Plan amendments are also requested.
Gibbs Drive is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The MPC staff recommendation is to rezone to office, not commercial. Citing a long history of litigation on the property, Connie Cavanaugh, president of Historic Gibbs Drive Neighborhood Association, said that the organization has accepted the reality that the corner parcel cannot stay residential and therefore supports the recommended rezoning to office.
MPC staff’s reasoning for the office recommendation is contained in these excerpts from the “Plan Amendment Report” that is part of the MPC agenda package:
“This site is at the southwest corner of Gibbs Dr. and N. Broadway. All properties along Gibbs Dr. have remained zoned R-1 and developed with residential uses. Properties to the north, south and west, fronting on N. Broadway are developed with commercial uses under C-3, C-6 and PC-1…
“Staff recognizes that the property is not desirable for residential uses, but allowing commercial uses would place non-compatible commercial use across from and next door to established residential uses. Office uses would be more compatible with adjacent residential and are not as likely to generate as much traffic or have late business hours.
“Offices would be an appropriate transitional use between the adjacent commercial and low density residential uses. A request for an office One Year Plan designation was recommended for approval by staff in 1990, but denied by MPC, and a request for a commercial designation was denied in 1991, consistent with the staff recommendation. There have never been any sector plan amendment requests on this site…
“The current sector plan proposes low density residential uses for the site, consistent with the current R-1 zoning. This designation has been retained over the years, despite a One Year Plan update each year and several updates to the North City Sector Plan.
“The current LDR designation is appropriate and is not an error. However, staff recognizes that the site, as currently zoned, has been vacant for many years and is likely not desirable for new residential use. The recommended office plan designation will allow the applicant reasonable use of the site, while minimizing the potential negative impact on adjacent residential uses.”
See http://agenda.knoxmpc.org/agenda.pdf for the full MPC agenda package.
3. Agenda Available for July BZA Meeting
The agenda for the July 16 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals includes variance requests for ten properties in five of the six City Council districts.
Under old business, the addresses are 1215 Snowdon Drive, 937 N. Broadway, and 5316 Kingston Pike. New items involve 3725 Speedway Circle, 5316 Kingston Pike (again), 317 Ogden Street, 708 Washburn Road, 1992 Pinnacle Pointe Way, 5810 Middlebrook Pike, and 1717 Alcoa Highway.
If any of these locations are in or near your neighborhood, you may wish to look further.
The BZA agenda is posted no later than the Monday prior to the BZA meeting:
Click to access agenda_bza.pdf
Established by city ordinance, BZA hears appeals of denials of building permits by the city’s Building Inspections Department. The board, consisting of five citizens appointed by the Mayor, meets at 4 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building. See http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/Boards and click on Board of Zoning Appeals.
Keep up with how the BZA might impact your neighborhood. Watch for the black and white signs indicating that there is a pending decision on a particular piece of property. Most signs are for Metropolitan Planning Commission issues — which are also important — but signs with the word “variance” are BZA items.
A neighborhood group that keeps track of BZA will request and study the paperwork on a particular appeal, decide whether to take a position on the appeal, and then attend the BZA meeting to voice the group’s support or objections.
Decisions of the BZA can be appealed within 15 days of the BZA decision to Knoxville City Council. Appeals of a City Council decision are made to Chancery Court within 60 days of a City Council decision related to BZA.
4. Get Moving, Visit Public Art, Take Selfies, Win a Gift Basket
July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and in honor of that, Knoxville’s Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a contest called “Selfie with a Statue”.
The contest runs through the end of July. The idea is to take a picture of yourself or a group with outdoor public art pieces in Knoxville, and then post the photos to the Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page. The person with the most posts wins a gift basket from Mast General Store.
“We are looking for new ways to get people moving outside, and this contest is a great way for people to have fun while also appreciating our public art,” said Joe Walsh, Director of Knoxville Parks and Recreation.
See https://www.facebook.com/KnoxvilleRecreation for the contest rules.
5. UT Offers Youth $100 for Transit Camp
As reported last week, the University of Tennessee is providing a three-day “transit camp” for high school students (rising freshmen through seniors) — but instead of having to pay $99 to attend, each participant will now receive a $100 gift card to participate.
The event — staged by the Center for Transportation Research within the College of Engineering — will include three full days of information and experience regarding public transit systems. Students will tour the KAT bus facilities in Knoxville, participate in a city-wide scavenger hunt on the transit system, and take a trip to Atlanta, Ga., to ride MARTA.
The event takes place Wednesday through Friday, July 29-31, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., but the last day is longer. Lunch is provided each day, and dinner is also provided on the third day. For more, contact Tammy Enix at 974-4621 or [email protected]. To register online, see http://ctr.utk.edu/CTRk12/transit_camp.html.
6. CAC Seeks Volunteer Drivers
CAC — the Knoxville/Knox County Community Action Committee — is seeking volunteer drivers in its “Volunteer Assisted Transportation” program, which assists Knox County seniors and people with disabilities who require aid and assistance to travel safely.
Volunteers transport seniors to medical appointments, shopping trips, beauty appointments, and other activities. They also assist with communication challenges, filling out paperwork, helping the rider in and out of the vehicle, etc.
Volunteers drive agency-owned, hybrid sedans or wheelchair accessible mini-vans and receive training to include First Aid & CPR certification. Volunteers are needed for weekdays, evenings and weekends. For more information, please call 865-673-5001 or email [email protected].
7. Correction: Election Dates
An article in last week’s issue incorrectly stated the dates for the upcoming city primary and general elections. As noted correctly in the calendar below, the primary will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
8. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-3456.
Visit http://knoxvilletn.gov/calendar for a complete list of meetings of various city boards and commissions.
If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to attend a City of Knoxville public meeting, please contact Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 215-2034 no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend.
Tuesday, July 7 — 4:30 p.m.
Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch (First Tuesdays)
Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave.
Lawrence Washington, 524-4498
Tuesday, July 7 — 6 p.m.
Mechanicsville Community Association (First Tuesdays)
Fairview Recreation Center, 1628 Dora St.
Charles Wright, 637-1802
Tuesday, July 7 — 7 p.m.
City Council (Every Other Tuesday)
http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/citycouncil
Agenda: http://knoxvillecitytn.iqm2.com
Wednesday, July 8 — 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Food Policy Council
(Second Wednesdays but check website for confirmation)
Knox County Health Department, 140 Dameron Avenue
http://www.knoxfood.org; [email protected]
Wednesday, July 8 — 11:30 a.m.
Community Forum (Second Wednesdays)
Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golf Club Road
Sue Mauer, 690-0269
Thursday, July 9 — 1:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Planning Commission (Second Thursdays)
http://www.knoxmpc.org
Agenda: http://agenda.knoxmpc.org
Thursday, July 9 — 6 p.m.
Lonsdale Homes Resident Association (Second Thursdays)
Community Building, 1956 Goins Dr.
Phyllis Patrick, 323-7224
Thursday, July 9 — 7-8 p.m.
Colonial Village Neighborhood Association
(Second Thursdays except December and January)
South Knoxville Church of God, 5623 Magazine Road
Terry Caruthers, 579-5702, [email protected]
Friday, July 10 — 7:45 a.m. and 8 a.m.
North Knoxville Business & Professional Association (Second Fridays)
Breakfast at 7:45 am, Meeting at 8 a.m.
Open to North Knoxville Residents, Neighborhood Groups, Business Owners
Meeting location varies. Check Website for location. http://northknoxvillebpa.org/
Becky Dodson, [email protected], 545-6750.
Friday, July 10 — 6 p.m.
Beaumont Community Organization (Second Fridays)
Community Room, Solid Waste Transfer Station, 1033 Elm St.
Natasha Murphy, 936-0139
Saturday, July 11 — 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lonsdale Multicultural Community Market (Second Saturdays)
Pavilion, Lonsdale Park, 1317 Louisiana Avenue
Latino Task Force and Lonsdale United for Change
Emma Cosigua, 201-207-8801, or Rosie Noriega, 865-405-0931
Monday, July 13 — 1:30 p.m.
Montgomery Village Residents Association (Second Mondays)
4600 Joe Lewis Rd. #175
Ronnie Thompson, 604-6492
Monday, July 13 — 3 p.m.
Northgate Resident Association (Second Mondays)
Social Hall, 4301 Whittle Springs Rd.
David Wildsmith, 219-0417
Monday, July 13 — 5-6 p.m.
Cold Springs Neighborhood Watch (Second Mondays)
Michael Meadowview Neighborhood Watch (Second Mondays)
CAC East Neighborhood Center, 4200 Asheville Hwy.
Michael Meadowview: Marian Bailey, 525-5625
Cold Springs: Terrell Patrick, 525-4833
Monday, July 13
Fountain City Town Hall (Second Mondays)
Board Meetings: 6 p.m. Monthly
General Membership Meetings: 7 p.m., April, September, November
Church of the Good Shepherd, 5337 Jacksboro Pike
Daniel Dunn, 387-6390, [email protected]
Monday, July 13 — 6 p.m.
Lyons View Community Club (Second Mondays)
Lyons View Community Center, 114 Sprankle Ave.
Mary Brewster, 454-2390
Monday, July 13 — 6:00 pm
Vestal Community Organization (Second Mondays)
South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Old Maryville Pike
Katherine Johnson, 566-1198
Monday, July 13 — 6:30 p.m.
Community Potluck
Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization (Second Mondays)
Central United Methodist Church, 210 Third Ave.
Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, [email protected]
Monday, July 13 — 6:30 p.m.
Historic Old North Knoxville (Second Mondays)
St. James Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 1101 N. Broadway
Andie Ray, 548-5221
Monday, July 13 — 7 p.m.
Belle Morris Community Action Group (Second Mondays)
City View Baptist Church, 2311 Fine Ave.
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Belle_Morris
Rick Wilen, 524-5008
Lost Yellow Lab on Timberlake
Howdy…
If you are missing your yellow lab, it came by 3313 Timberlake to visit. I caught it and it is safe in my workshop. Call me at 865-964-6403 to recover your dog. Thanks.
Clay Aalders
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 22 – Tuesday June 30, 2015
PDF Version: http://bit.ly/NeighborhoodNewsletterVol8No22
1. Public Forum Today on Washington Pike Project
2. Design Center to Present Parkridge Streetscape Plan
3. City to Break Ground for Suttree Landing Park
4. Forum to Highlight Transit Oriented Development
5. New MPC Director Begins Work This Week
6. Races Narrow, SKNBC Plans Forum
7. Election Commission Eyes Changes in Polling Locations
8. City Issues Urban Forest Report
9. City Offices Closed Friday
10. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. News & calendar deadline: 5 p.m. Mondays.
1. Public Forum Today on Washington Pike Project
Staff from the City of Knoxville’s Engineering Department and the City’s consultants (CDM Smith) for the Washington Pike Roadway Improvements Project will hold a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. today — Tuesday, June 30 — regarding the roadway concept design for Washington Pike from I-640 to Murphy Road.
The meeting will be held in the Harvest Park Community Center at New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane, on Washington Pike just east of the Target store and behind Knoxville Center Mall.
As reported earlier (Advisory May 29, 2015), the Washington Pike Roadway Improvements Project is not currently scheduled for construction. However, this meeting will provide information about the project status, present the concept design for streetscape improvements and provide an opportunity for public comments and suggestions.
2. Design Center to Present Parkridge Streetscape Plan
The East Tennessee Community Design Center will present the Parkridge Streetscape Concept Plan next week at the Parkridge Community Organization’s regular monthly meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 6, at the Cansler Family YMCA, 616 Jessamine Street.
The plan will provide concepts and ideas for the possible future development of Washington Avenue between Sixth Avenue (location of the now famous underpass murals) to Winona Avenue.
Funded for such projects by the City of Knoxville’s Community Development Department using Community Development Block Grant funds, ETCDC has worked on the concept with and/or solicited ideas from PCO representatives; Washington Avenue businesses including Peace by Piece and its owner, Gigi Saunders; local developer Brian Haun; Habitat for Humanity; Napier Development; Abbey Fields Farms; KUB; and several city departments.
3. City to Break Ground for Suttree Landing Park
Mayor Madeline Rogero and members of City Council will join community members next week to launch the construction of the new Suttree Landing Park, 1101 Phillips Avenue, on the Tennessee River.
The groundbreaking event will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7.
“We are very excited to have construction getting underway – more dirt moving! – on the South Waterfront,” the Mayor said recently. “This new 8-acre park is one of the key pieces of our South Waterfront redevelopment efforts. We were able to reuse and revitalize a former industrial site to create a premier new recreational amenity in South Knoxville that will connect park visitors to the Tennessee River.”
The park will include a festival lawn, river walk, children’s playground, an accessible boat dock, a put-in ramp, river overlooks and plenty of parking. Complementing the park will be a new 2,988-foot-long two-lane tree-lined street, Waterfront Drive, which will offer direct access to Suttree Landing Park.
Indeed, the roadbed is now in place for Waterfront Drive. “It’s an active construction zone, but you’ll be able to view work on the new road from a safe distance while celebrating the park’s ground-breaking,” the Mayor noted.
4. Forum to Highlight Transit Oriented Development
Knoxville area residents are invited to attend a public workshop on transit oriented development (TOD) at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 South Gay Street.
TOD is a type of community development that includes a mixture of housing, office, retail and/or other amenities integrated into a walkable neighborhood and located within a half-mile of quality public transportation.
The workshop will be led by representatives from Smart Growth America (www.smartgrowthamerica.org) and is part of a free, grant-funded technical assistance program. They will present a broad overview of strategies for implementing TOD in Knoxville and in surrounding communities, and explain how it might benefit the region.
5. New MPC Director Begins Work This Week
Gerald Green, the new executive director of the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), begins work tomorrow, July 1.
Green will be available via the main MPC phone number at 865-215-2500, and his email address is [email protected].
The new E.D. has a Master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.A. in Urban Affairs from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He served as Principal Planner for the East Tennessee Development District from 1979-1982 and later worked as a Senior Planner and Chief Planner for the City of Asheville, N.C., and in private practice as owner of NFocus Planning and Design in Asheville.
Since 2010 he has been the planning director for Jackson County, N.C., in southwestern North Carolina (Sylva is the county seat).
Green will oversee a staff of 35, with duties that include preparing and adopting a General Plan; reviewing subdivision regulations and site plans; preparing and recommending zoning ordinances and maps to the Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Council; and reviewing proposed zoning amendments.
He was selected by Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett after a six-month search process. There were more than 30 applicants for the position. Green succeeds former MPC Executive Director Mark Donaldson, who retired at the end of 2014. Jeff Welch, Executive Director of the Transportation Planning Organization, has served as interim director of MPC in the meantime.
MPC was established in 1956 by Knoxville and Knox County as the agency responsible for comprehensive county-wide planning and administration of zoning and land subdivision regulations. Except for the town of Farragut, MPC continues in this role. Funding for MPC activities comes primarily from City and County appropriations and from federal grants for specific initiatives.
6. Races Narrow, SKNBC Plans Forum
The deadline for candidate withdrawals has now come and gone in the upcoming city elections, and two previously announced candidates have stepped aside.
Madeline Rogero is now unopposed for reelection to a second four-year term as the city’s Mayor following the withdrawal of Buck Cochran. For At-Large Seat B, Councilman Marshall Stair will now face only Pete Drew; Carly Baskette decided not to pursue a race at this time.
The other races are unchanged. Councilman George Wallace faces no opposition for At-Large Seat A. Councilman Finbarr Saunders still has three opponents — Kelly Absher, Paul Bonovich, and David Williams — in the race for At-Large Seat C. Fifth District Council Member Mark Campen has one opponent, Jennifer Mirtes. Municipal Court Judge John Rosson, Jr. has no opposition.
The primary election is set for Sept. 2, and the general election is Nov. 4.
Meanwhile, the South Knoxville Neighborhood and Business Coalition (SKNBC) will sponsor a City Council Candidate Forum and Meet-and-Greet from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, at Woodlawn Christian Church, 4339 Woodlawn Pike.
The format will consist of a five-minute introductory statement by the candidiates, a short Q&A session conducted by a moderator, and a breakout time afterwards for candidates to meet and speak with attendees.
7. Election Commission Eyes Changes in Polling Locations
The Knox County Election Commission will meet Friday morning, July 10, to consider a recommendation from Clifford Rodgers, administrator of elections, to move the polling place for the 9th precinct from the Moses Center, 220 Carrick Street, to Eternal Life Harvest Center (ELHC), a church located at the corner of University and Western Avenues.
Moses Center has been a challenge for a number of years, especially with regard to accessibility for voters using wheelchairs, Rodgers said. The new owner of the building, Emerald Charter School, offered to address the issues, but Rodgers said ELHC offers street level access and plenty of parking.
Several community members, including David Gillette of the Mechanicsville Community Association, proposed the change, Rodgers said.
The commission voted last April to move the 46th precinct polling location from West Hills Elementary School, where parking was very difficult, to the activity center located behind Church of the Nazarene just down the street on Vanosdale Road. In that case, Rodgers approached West Hills Community Association President Ashley Williams, who readily endorsed the move due to the parking crunch and the disruption to the school day.
Assuming the commission endorses the 9th precinct change, the staff in August will mail postcards to both 9th and 46th precinct voters informing them of the change, which will take place in the September city primary election. Volunteers will be posted at the old locations on election day to make sure voters know about the new locations, Rodgers added.
8. City Issues Urban Forest Report
Working with the Knoxville Tree Board, the City’s Urban Forester, Kasey Krouse, has prepared a comprehensive report, “State of the Urban Forest Report,” that is now available online here:
Click to access state_of_urban_forest2015.pdf
The report provides links to previous tree studies and plans, lists the goals and guiding principles of the Urban Forest Division of the Public Service Department, covers the city’s recently completed and in-progress tree canopy studies, outlines action items for planting and conserving trees, and much more.
In addition to this resource, individuals and neighborhood groups may wish to review “Tree FAQs,” “Trees to Consider before Planting,” and other links on the Urban Forest pages of the City of Knoxville’s website.
Also, Krouse is available to speak to neighborhood groups on a wide variety of topics related to trees. See his listing in the Guest Speakers Guide.
9. City Offices Closed Friday
General government offices for the City of Knoxville will be closed this coming Friday, July 3, for the July 4 holiday.
Waste Connections, the City of Knoxville’s household garbage and recycling collector, will follow its regular schedule this week, working on Friday.
The City’s Solid Waste Management Facility / Transfer Station, 1033 Elm St., will be closed on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of the holiday. Amnesty Saturday (the first Saturday of each month, when no fees are charged to City residents using the facility) will take place on the second Saturday, July 11, due to the facility being closed on the first Saturday.
Downtown trash and recyclables will be collected on the regular schedule this week. The city’s recycling centers will be open for recycling; however, the Goodwill Industries attendant will not be available for household goods donations on Saturday.
10. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-3456.
Visit http://knoxvilletn.gov/calendar for a complete list of meetings of various city boards and commissions.
If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to attend a City of Knoxville public meeting, please contact Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 215-2034 no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend.
Tuesday, June 30 — 5:30 p.m.
Public Meeting
Washington Pike Roadway Improvements Project
Update on project status, presentation of concept design
New Harvest Park Community Center, 4775 New Harvest Lane
Tuesday, June 30 — 6:30 p.m.
Chilhowee Park Neighborhood Association (Last Tuesdays)
Administration Building, Knoxville Zoo
Paul Ruff, 696-6584
Wednesday, July 1 — Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. Meeting – 8 a.m.
East Towne Area Business & Professional Association (First Wednesdays)
Neighborhood Residents and Leaders encouraged to attend
New Harvest Park Community Building
Chair, Justin Sterling, [email protected]
Friday, July 3
City Fourth of July Holiday
General Government Offices are Closed
Monday, July 6 — 1:00 p.m.
East Knoxville Community Meeting (First Mondays)
Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway
Michael Covington, 865-274-7958, [email protected]
Monday, July 6 — 4 p.m.
Love Towers Fellowship Association (First Mondays except holidays)
Love Towers Community Room; 1171 Armstrong St.
Bill Jackson, 221-4402
Monday, July 6 — 6:30 p.m.
Parkridge Community Organization (First Mondays except holidays)
Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine St.
David Anderson, (803) 259-6289, [email protected]
Monday, July 6 — 7 p.m.
Oakwood Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association (First Mondays)
Community Club House, 916 Shamrock Ave. at Henegar St.
Bill Hutton, 773-5228, [email protected]
LOST Labradoodle Puppy
The new puppy wandered off. It golden in color and has not learned it’s name. If seen call Tim or Kathleen Zitzman. 804-2822 or 804-4131.
NEW CELL TOWER SIGNS AVAILABLE NOW
More anti-cell tower signs have arrived. This batch is being paid for by LHHA, so if you feel moved to help with the cost, make checks to LHHA. I will remain as the distributor, so contact me at [email protected] or 679-1970 if you want a sign. I will bring them to you or you may pick them up at my house (2025 W. Velmetta Circle)’
Thanks to all who have placed signs and helped make all our neighbors aware of this dilemma
Forrest Orr
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 21 – Tuesday, June 23, 2015
PDF Version: http://bit.ly/NeighborhoodNewsletterVol8No21
1. Neighborhood Yard Sale in Cumberland Estates
2. North Hills Garden Tour Set for Saturday
3. “Coffee with the Councilman” Is This Saturday
4. AmeriCorps Service Ending for Griff Ashooh, Travis Nissen
5. Pursue a Relentless Search for Strengths
6. It’s Official: Everly Brothers Park
7. City to Hold Public Meeting on Old South High
8. Candidates Set for 2015 City Elections
9. MPC Offers FAQ on the Siting of Cell Phone Towers
10. Neighborhoods: Stay Informed on Upcoming MPC Agenda Items
11. Community Schools Expand to Three New Sites
12. UT Sponsors Youth Transit Camp
13. Knox Heritage Seeks Salvage Proposals
14. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. News & calendar deadline: 5 p.m. Mondays.
1. Neighborhood Yard Sale in Cumberland Estates
Cumberland Estates West Neighborhood Watch will hold a neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, June 27, starting at 8:30 a.m.
The Cumberland Estates neighborhood is located between Western Avenue and Sullivan Road, on either side of Palmetto Road. This particular multi-yard sale is concentrated west of Palmetto.
2. North Hills Garden Tour Set for Saturday
The North Hills Garden Club is hosting a Garden Tour on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public and will take place rain or shine.
The tour will feature seven residential gardens located along the neighborhood’s historic boulevards. While on the tour, participants can speak directly to homeowners about the various plants, flowers and techniques used in their gardens.
Tickets are $10 per person or $15 for a family. Participants can purchase tickets and begin the tour at two locations: 1927 North Hills Blvd. or 3033 Fountain Park Blvd. All proceeds are used for the beautification of the neighborhood’s boulevards and park.
See https://www.facebook.com/events/843400875740352/ for pictures and more information.
3. “Coffee with the Councilman” Is This Saturday
Vice Mayor and First District Councilman Nick Pavlis will hold his quarterly “Coffee with the Councilman” this Saturday, June 27.
As usual, he will be at the Roundup Restaurant, 3643 Sevierville Pike, starting at 9 a.m. and will stay until the last person is heard. The event is open to all city residents. “I hope to see you there for a great breakfast, fellowship, and discussion of any city matter,” he said in a recent email to constituents.
4. AmeriCorps Service Ending for Griff Ashooh, Travis Nissen
AmeriCorps members Griff Ashooh and Travis Nissen this week are closing out 45 weeks of service to the Knoxville community in general and to Knoxville’s neighborhoods in particular.
The two recent college graduates — Griff from William and Mary and Travis from the University of Wisconsin — spent the last 10 months immersed in the programs and projects of the Office of Neighborhoods and the Community Development Department.
They helped produce this weekly newsletter, answered phones, provided logistical support to our leadership training program, made huge contributions to the success of The Neighborhood Conference back in March, and assisted with a myriad of other tasks and projects.
In addition, Griff further developed the Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program, and Travis worked with neighborhood groups in the Neighborhood Working Group on Blighted Properties. We are grateful for their service, hard work, good humor and commitment to a better world.
Both Griff and Travis are headed for graduate school. Griff will be at American University in Washington, D.C., studying international development, and Travis will be at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., studying architecture.
If you worked with Griff or Travis this past year, you still have time to convey your best wishes. Contact Travis at 215-3077 or [email protected]. Contact Griff at 215—3456 or [email protected]. Their last day is Wednesday, June 24.
The City of Knoxville’s participation in the AmeriCorps program is made possible by CAC AmeriCorps, a program of CAC (the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Agency).
5. Pursue a Relentless Search for Strengths
Debbie Sharp, the assistant neighborhoods coordinator in the Office of Neighborhoods, recently attended the annual Neighborhoods, USA conference in Houston, Texas, and she is sharing what she learned on the Office of Neighborhoods blog.
Visit http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/neighborhoods to see her observations on the advantage of using “appreciative inquiry” — searching for strengths — to accomplish your mission and goals. Just click on “Office of Neighborhoods Blog.”
6. It’s Official: Everly Brothers Park
The City of Knoxville’s Public Property Naming Committee last week voted unanimously to call a new pocket park in west Knoxville “Everly Brothers Park” in honor of the singing duo Don and Phil Everly.
Located at the corner of Kingston Pike and Forest Park Blvd., the park is a project of the Bearden Council, which is raising funds to add amenities to the space and to connect it to the Third Creek Greenway. In April, City Council authorized leasing the property from the Tennessee Dept. of Transportation (Advisory, April 14, 2015).
Look for a proposed park design and fund-raising efforts later this summer.
7. City to Hold Public Meeting on Old South High
The City of Knoxville has scheduled a public meeting to take ideas and comments from the public regarding the redevelopment and repurposing of the historic Old South High building located at 953 E. Moody Avenue.
The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Dogwood Elementary School, 705 Tipton Avenue.
The city acquired the long-blighted structure back in the spring (Advisory, May 5, 2015). Following the public meeting, the Community Development Department will request proposals from developers capable of bringing the building back into productive use in a way that enhances the surrounding neighborhoods.
8. Candidates Set for 2015 City Elections
Six offices are on the election ballot for the City of Knoxville this fall, with two incumbents facing no opposition and four incumbents facing at least one opponent.
Mayor Madeline Rogero, seeking her second four-year term, will face a single opponent — Buck Cochran, who lost to Marshall Stair for At-Large Seat B four years ago.
Four of the nine seats on Knoxville City Council are on the ballot this year, and all four incumbents are running for their second term.
George Wallace faces no opposition for At-Large Seat A. Marshall Stair will compete with Carly Baskette and Pete Drew for At-Large Seat B. Finbarr Saunders drew three opponents — Kelly Absher, Paul Bonovich, and David Williams — in the race for At-Large Seat C.
Only one of the six district seats on City Council is up for election this year. Fifth District Council Member Mark Campen has one opponent, Jennifer Mirtes. Municipal Court Judge John Rosson, Jr. has no opposition. The qualifying deadline for all of these races was last Thursday, and candidates have until noon this Thursday, June 25, to withdraw, or their names will appear on the ballot regardless of whether they mount a campaign or not.
To see the treasurer appointed by each candidate, along with the list of individuals who signed their nominating petitions, visit http://knoxcounty.org/election/ and click on “Officials and Candidates” at the top of the page, then on “Petitions and Financial Disclosures.”
On the calendar, August 31 is the last day to register for the primary election, which is on September 2. October 5 is the last day to register for the General Election, which is on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Visit http://knoxcounty.org/election/ to confirm that you are registered to vote, and, if not, to learn how and where to register. The site will also list early voting locations and times.
9. MPC Offers FAQ on the Siting of Cell Phone Towers
Get ready for more applications for cell phone towers in Knoxville and Knox County — and in residential neighborhoods.
Due to increasing demand for wireless communications and capacity to handle broadband transmissions, cell phone companies are constantly seeking to expand and upgrade their networks.
Three cell phone tower applications were on the June agenda for the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), all from the same applicant. All three items were postponed. The proposed locations for these towers include Lakemoor Hills in South Knox County, the Bluegrass area in West Knox County, and a parcel between Martha Berry Drive and Ridgecrest Drive in North Knoxville.
To a limited degree, federal law allows local governments to regulate the placement of cell phone towers, but the cell phone company’s primary hurdle is to prove that a particular tower location is essential to providing service to its customers — and that it does not have access to another tower or structure on which to place its antenna in order to obtain the required coverage.
To assess cell tower applications, MPC retains a consultant, Larry Perry, who recently presented the MPC Executive Committee with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about cell phone towers. MPC has made this document available on its website. Browse to www.knoxmpc.org and locate the cell tower article on the home page.
In addition, visit http://archive.knoxmpc.org/plans/wireless/index.htm to see a copy of MPC’s longer and more technical Wireless Communications Plan.
For details on the three pending tower applications, click on the “Branch Towers” items in the June MPC agenda, which can be found at http://agenda.knoxmpc.org/Jun15.pdf.
10. Neighborhoods: Stay Informed on Upcoming MPC Agenda Items
Neighborhood organizations that wish to keep track of new commercial developments, rezonings and related matters in or near their neighborhoods are encouraged to follow the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) via Facebook, Twitter and email.
MPC acts as the planning department for both the City of Knoxville and Knox County, and all rezonings, development plans and uses on review originate there.
To get on the email list, just browse to www.knoxmpc.org and look for the article at the bottom of the page titled “Keep up with MPC…”
Those on the email list recently received a notice that MPC has posted a list of requests for plan amendments, rezonings, approval of development plans, and uses on review that likely will be on MPC’s agenda for its July 9 monthly meeting.
Note that this list of requests, posted about three weeks prior to each meeting, is later replaced by the preliminary agenda about two weeks out, and then by the Agenda Package on the Friday afternoon before the MPC monthly meeting.
For more, see http://agenda.knoxmpc.org/index.htm.
11. Community Schools Expand to Three New Sites
In partnership with Knox County Schools, the Great Schools Partnership Community Schools Initiative is expanding to include three additional sites: Beaumont Magnet Academy, Dogwood Elementary School and Northwest Middle School.
“We look forward to partnering with the school administrators, staff, students and parents, along with neighborhood leaders, businesses and other stakeholders at these three schools,” said Stephanie Welch, vice president of operations for Community Schools at the Great Schools Partnership. “Working together, we will move closer to the vision of healthy communities with schools at the center.”
New Community Schools are identified using a variety of criteria, including school academic performance, student behavior, discipline referrals and socioeconomic indicators. School administration and faculty support, as well as community interest, are also key considerations.
These schools join eight existing Community Schools: Christenberry, Green Magnet, Lonsdale, Norwood, Pond Gap, Sarah Moore Green Magnet, and South Knoxville Elementary Schools, along with Vine Magnet Middle School. The community school at Pond Gap is a partnership with the University of Tennessee.
Community Schools marshal community resources for student success, family health and neighborhood safety. They are open for extended hours and offer additional instruction time as well as recreational, arts, mental health, adult education and other services. Each Community School is guided by a site steering committee composed of school staff, teachers, parents, businesses and other community leaders. Community Schools are funded through a blend of public and private contributions.
For more, see http://www.greatschoolspartnership.com/ and visit the Facebook page.
12. UT Sponsors Youth Transit Camp
The University of Tennessee this summer is providing a three-day “transit camp” for high school students (rising freshmen through seniors).
The event — staged by the Center for Transportation Research within the College of Engineering — will include three full days of information and experience regarding public transit systems. Students will tour the KAT bus facilities in Knoxville, participate in a city-wide scavenger hunt on the transit system, and take a trip to Atlanta, Ga., to ride MARTA.
The event takes place Wednesday through Friday, July 29-31, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. but the last day is longer. The cost is $99, lunch is provided each day, and dinner is also provided on the third day.
For more, visit http://ctr.utk.edu/education/k12.html or contact Tammy Enix at 974-4621 or [email protected]. See http://ctr.utk.edu/education/registration.php to register online.
13. Knox Heritage Seeks Salvage Proposals
The Knox Heritage Salvage Shop is now accepting proposals for its annual fundraiser, The Salvage Show, whose mission is to showcase unique and creative ways salvage can be used in art and design while benefitting the work of Knox Heritage.
Deadline for proposals is July 8 and may be sent to [email protected]. All pieces will be available to purchase through a silent auction on Friday, August 7 at the shop. For details, visit www.knoxheritage.org/salvage . To set up an appointment to pick up salvage or to submit a proposal, email Beth at [email protected] or call 865-313-2111.
14. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-3456.
Visit http://knoxvilletn.gov/calendar for a complete list of meetings of various city boards and commissions.
If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to attend a City of Knoxville public meeting, please contact Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 215-2034 no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend.
Tuesday, June 23 — 6 p.m.
Inskip Community Association (Asociación de la Comunidad de Inskip)
Community Meeting (Fourth Tuesdays)
Inskip Baptist Church, 4810 Rowan Rd.
Betty Jo Mahan, 679-2748, [email protected]
Tuesday, June 23 — 7 p.m.
City Council (Every Other Tuesday)
http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_council
Agenda: http://knoxvillecitytn.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx
Wednesday, June 24 — 9 a.m.
Infill Housing Design Review Committee (Fourth Wednesdays)
Re: infill housing in central city neighborhoods with IH-1 overlay
http://www.knoxmpc.org/zoning/infill.htm
Jeff Archer, 215-3821, [email protected]
Wednesday, June 24 — 9 a.m.
Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Committee
(Fourth Wednesdays, Jan.-Oct., and Third Wednesdays, Nov.-Dec.)
Small Assembly Room, City County Building
Agenda: http://www.knoxtrans.org/meetings/execagen.htm
Dori Canon, 215-2694, [email protected]
Thursday, June 25 — 9 a.m.
Special Events Community Meeting (Fourth Thursdays, January-October)
“Meet with city services that may assist in planning your event.”
Civic Coliseum Ballroom, Third Floor
Free Parking available at Civic Coliseum Parking Garage
Office of Special Events, 215-4248
Thursday, June 25 — CANCELLED
Better Building Board
Next Scheduled Meeting: July 30
Friday, June 26 — CANCELLED
Public Officer Hearing – Neighborhood Codes Enforcement
Next Scheduled Meeting: July 31
Saturday, June 27 — 8:30 a.m. until ??
Community-Wide Yard Sale
Cumberland Estates neighborhood east of Palmetto Drive
Cumberland Estates West Neighborhood Watch
Saturday, June 27 — 9 a.m. until last person is heard
“Coffee with the Councilman”
(Usually the Last Saturday of Each Quarter)
Vice Mayor and First District City Council Member Nick Pavlis
Bring your concerns or stop by to chat; open to all city residents.
Roundup Restaurant, 3643 Sevierville Pike
Nick Pavlis, 454-7216
Tuesday, June 30 — 6:30 p.m.
Chilhowee Park Neighborhood Association (Last Tuesdays)
Administration Building, Knoxville Zoo
Paul Ruff, 696-6584