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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]

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.

 

 

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 – 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

http://agenda.knoxmpc.org/2015/jun2015/6-G-15-UR.pdf

You are welcome to join the opposition via Social Media.  It is easier to share links, files, etc. (at least for me).  The link is:

https://www.facebook.com/LMHHAnoTOWER?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

This is not an official Lakemoor Hills HOA effort, I have created the page on my own.  I welcome any and all contributors.

If this link doesn’t work for you, go to facebook and search “NO CELL TOWER in Lakemoor Hills”

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 20 – Tuesday June 16, 2015

For a PDF version of this issue, click here: http://bit.ly/NeighborhoodNewsletter_vol8no20

1. Fairmont-Emoriland Schedules Yard Sale
2. Lyons View Plans Cook-Out, Appreciation Day
3. Sharp Shares Stories from Houston Conference
4. CAC Taking Applications for Community Leadership Class
5. This Thursday is “Try Transit Day”
6. BZA Meets Thursday, Can Impact Your Neighborhood
7. Health Fair Offers Free Screenings, Other Services
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. Fairmont-Emoriland Schedules Yard Sale

The Fairmont-Emoriland Neighborhood Association (FENA) is providing publicity for a neighborhood-wide yard sale this coming Saturday, June 20, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Four households are participating: 2204 Emoriland Blvd., 1517 Emoriland Blvd.,
1921 Fairmont Blvd., and 2217 Barton Street. FENA Member Lauren McKim ([email protected]) arranged publicity via Facebook, Craigslist and the News Sentinel.

A neighborhood-wide yard sale is a good community-building event. Your neighborhood organization can help neighbors increase sales because bargain hunters know they will find multiple events in a relatively small area. Some neighborhoods ask participants to donate a portion of the proceeds to the organization. Others end the day with an ice cream social or other social activity.

2. Lyons View Plans Cook-Out, Appreciation Day

Lyons View Community Club (LVCC) has announced a community event and cook-out to be held, rain or shine, from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at the Lyons View Community Center, playground, and William E. Davis Jr. Pavilion, all located at 114 Sprankle Street in West Knoxville.

“The main purpose of this year’s event,” according to LVCC’s announcement, “is to show our appreciation to the many individuals, churches, organizations, businesses, elected officials, and both City and County Mayors and their respective staffs for all they continue to do to support this community.”

In addition, the group will recognize LVCC Past President Walter Keith, who died early this year, for his contributions to the historic, African American community.

“Additional time will be provided for continued socializing, music (provided by Geno Bailey), dancing, playing cards, and just reminiscing at the Lyons View Recreation Center and pavilion from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.”

Please bring a covered dish to share. Contact Mary Brewster at 865-454-2390 or [email protected] to let her know the dish you would like to bring. Meats (chicken, ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs) and assorted drinks will be provided by the Lyons View Community Club.

All participants should park at Church of the Ascension, 800 Northshore Drive. A shuttle van will be available from 4 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to transport visitors to and from the community center. Due to very limited parking at the Center, vehicles for handicapped individuals and emergency services will be the only ones admitted at the LVCC playground.

3. Sharp Shares Stories from Houston Conference

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 the first of several blog posts on the conference. Just click on “Office of Neighborhoods Blog.” This first post highlights the fact that, for the most successful neighborhood organizations, human resources are more important than financial resources.

We have also posted pictures from the June 15 West Hills picnic.

4. CAC Taking Applications for Community Leadership Class

The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is seeking applicants for its 29th Community Leadership class.

Each year, CAC offers free leadership training to 30 current and emerging leaders who live, work or volunteer in low-to-moderate income communities, and who have demonstrated a commitment to service. Individuals who work with agencies or programs which affect these neighborhoods are also encouraged to apply.

Key selection factors will be the interest and demonstrated community commitment of each potential participant. Those chosen class members will be asked to commit one day each month to the training program from Sept. 2015-June 2016. Overall topics include business economics, media, social and neighborhood issues, education, and local government.

The objectives of Community Leadership are to:
• Strengthen the capacity for leadership at the grassroots level.
• Create a learning atmosphere which crosses economic, social, racial and demographic lines.
• Acquaint participants with formal and informal decision-making channels.
• Challenge and motivate individuals to become more involved in community affairs.

Any individual may apply or nominate someone else. More detailed information and applications are available at CAC Neighborhood Centers and the CAC Central Office located at 2247 Western Ave. Or email [email protected]. The application deadline is Friday, August 7. For additional information, contact Lori Galbraith at 776-0094.

5. This Thursday is “Try Transit Day”

Ever considered commuting via transit but just felt like you didn’t know where to start?

This Thursday, June 18, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is offering “Try Transit Day” – an opportunity to hop on the bus and enjoy a relaxing ride into work. For more, see:
http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=109562&pageId=257685

6. BZA Meets Thursday, Can Impact Your Neighborhood

Does your neighborhood organization care about how close a building can be to the street or a neighboring property (known as setback requirements)?

How about the size, height and shape of commercial signs? The size of parking lots and driveway widths? The number of required parking spaces for nearby businesses?

If so, then you may wish to pay close attention to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). See http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions/board_of_zoning_appeals/.

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.

Thus BZA meets this coming Thursday, June 18. Addresses on the agenda include 1215 Snowdon Drive, 937 N. Broadway, 1915 Cumberland Avenue, 1830 Cumberland Avenue, 242 E. Anderson Avenue, 800 and 804 Tyson Street, 5839 Washington Pike, 311 East Scott Avenue, 5316 Kingston Pike, 1101 Phillips Avenue, 915 Luttrell Street, and 100 S. Broadway.

The BZA agenda is posted no later than the Monday prior to the BZA meeting:

Click to access agenda_bza.pdf

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.

7. Health Fair Offers Free Screenings, Other Services

The Knoxville Area Programs and Partnerships for Achievement (KAPPA) Foundation is hosting a community health fair at Vine Middle School, 1807 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, on Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Although the Knoxville Community Men’s Health Fair is focused on men’s health issues, there will be free screenings, health education highlights, and other services that can benefit every attendee. The fair will foster a fun and supportive environment focused on engaging the community on the importance of prevention to deter serious health issues.

The fair strives to increase awareness of local, state, and national health services as well as to motivate participants to make positive health behavior changes.

See http://bit.ly/1IJMSEM to view the promotional poster of the event and to see a list of the screenings offered. To schedule a screening in advance, call 865-633-9050.

For additional information, or to request booth space, contact Wayne Carlton at [email protected] or 865-599-9093.

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, June 16 — 6:30 p.m.
Lonsdale United for Change (Third Tuesdays)
Lonsdale Recreation Center, Stonewall Ave.
Steve Ritter, 973-0877

Tuesday, June 16 — 7 p.m.
Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association (Third Tuesdays, except December)
Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail
http://edgewoodpark.us/

Wednesday, June 17 — 12 Noon
Eastport/Lee Williams Neighborhood Watch (Third Wednesdays)
Lee Williams Senior Center, 2240 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Sylvia Cook, 206-3433, [email protected]

Wednesday, June 17 — 6:30 p.m.
Lindbergh Forest Neighborhood Association (Third Wednesdays)
Graystone Presbyterian Church, 139 Woodlawn Pike
Kelley DeLuca, 660-4728, [email protected]

Thursday, June 18 — Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. Meeting – 8 a.m.
East Knoxville Business & Professional Association (Third Thursdays)
Open to Neighborhood Residents and Leaders
Meeting location varies
Doug Minter, [email protected], Knoxville Chamber, 637-4550
http://www.eastknox.org/

Thursday, June 18 — 8:30 a.m.
Historic Zoning Commission (Third Thursdays)
http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions/historic_zoning_commission/
Kaye Graybeal, 215-3795, [email protected]

Thursday, June 18 — 12 p.m.
KUB Board of Commissioners (Third Thursdays, except July)
Historic Miller’s Building, 445 S. Gay St.
See www.kub.org. Click on “About Us” at top of the page.

Thursday, June 18 — 4 p.m.
City Board of Zoning Appeals (Third Thursdays)
Small Assembly Room, City County Building
Pre-Agenda Meeting: 3 p.m. in Room 511
http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions/board_of_zoning_appeals/

Thursday, June 18 — 7 p.m.
Old Sevier Community Group
(Third Thursdays, January-November)
South Knoxville Elementary School Library, 801 Sevier Avenue
Gary Deitsch, 573-7355, [email protected]

Saturday, June 20 — 10 a.m.
South Haven Neighborhood Association (Third Saturdays)
Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 1615 Price Ave.
Pat Harmon, 591-3958

Saturday, June 20 — 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Knox County Community Family Health Fair
Vine Middle School, 1807 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Wayne Carlton, 865-599-9093

Monday, June 22 — 2 p.m. (zoning at 5 p.m.)
Knox County Commission
(Fourth Mondays, January-October. Third Mondays, November-December)
www.knoxcounty.org/commission
Agenda: Click on “Information” and then “Commission Agendas”
Public Forum held at beginning & ending of meeting

A friend of mine who walks the Montlake-Timberlake-Maloney block has seen a stray dog around the Montlake-Timberlake intersection the last two days. It is a carmel colored lab. It has a chain color. This  morning it followed him part way down Timberlake.

John Rennie

Timberlake Drive

I have two teenagers willing to work. My daughter is 18 and headed to college soon. She has babysit for neighbors but is willing to do any job you might have. She is training some during the day to stay in shape to play college basketball but can work around training schedule. My son is 16 and has house sat and fed animals in the neighborhood as well as mowed lawns. You may call me Cindy McLaughlin at 599-7239 and I will make sure your messages go to the person for the job.

From: Wendy Subject: Suspicious vehicle Message Body: There is an active situation in the neighborhood on Timberlake. A silver Impala with 4 men in the car are currently going door to door spreading Gods word and an event to take place at Thompson Bowling Arena in July. Please be cautious. In the past, these situations are cover-ups for scoping out our homes. As a reminder, keep your doors locked, including your vehicles, and try to keep expensive items such as lawn equipment and computers out of plain sight. Do not answer your door if you are not expecting company and call 911. These people tend to pose as normal, trustworthy people to gain your trust. Do not let anyone in your home unless you know them personally. Be skeptical! I have reported the suspicious vehicle to the police, along with descriptions and tag numbers. Many of you whom I called, were not home at the time if the incident. Please check your belongings and notify police if you find something missing. The incident occurred around 10:20 a.m. Be safe everyone! Wendy Warren, President Timberlake Community Club — This e-mail was sent from the public contact form on Lakemoor Hills (http://lakemoor.org)