Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 42 – Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015

 

PDF Version: http://bit.ly/NeighborhoodAdvisory2015-12-08

 

1. Community Meeting Tomorrow to Address Youth Concerns
2. Parkridge Votes to Request Expansion of Historic Overlay
3. City Seeks Nominations for Neighborhood Achievement Awards
4. Participants Sought for City’s 225^th Anniversary Celebration
5. BZA Decisions Can Impact Your Neighborhood
6. KKB Revamps Orchid Categories, Seeks Nominations
7. 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. Community Meeting Tomorrow to Address Youth Concerns

 

Three Knoxville citizens are asking residents and friends of East Knoxville, Mechanicsville, Lonsdale, Beaumont and Western Heights to attend a “Saving Our Community” meetingtomorrow night, Wednesday, Dec. 9, to address concerns about young people in the community.

 

The meeting will run from 7-9 p.m. at Vine Middle Magnet School, 1807 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.

 

The three organizers are Rev. Sanford Miller, pastor of New Salem Baptist Church; Maurice Clark, a coach of community youth sports teams; and Rick Staples, chair of the mentorship committee of One Hundred Black Men of Knoxville. Clark is also founder of One Nation by Conviction, a social justice organization that advocates against the disparity in drug sentencing laws.

 

Miller, Clark and Staples are seeking ideas and inspiration for working more effectively with young people who, despite efforts by community members, are still turning to violence and crime. Recent suicides and attempted suicides by young people have prompted this meeting, Staples said.

 

“This burdens my heart,” Staples said. “Where is the disconnect? We need to figure out what’s going on among young people and how to reach them. This is a concern for the community as a whole.”

 

2. Parkridge Votes to Request Expansion of Historic Overlay

 

At its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 7, the Parkridge Community Organization (PCO) decided to move forward with the proposed expansion of the H1 overlay district in the neighborhood.

 

PCO members voted 17-7 to request, via letter, that Sixth District City Councilman and former Mayor Dan Brown “sponsor with the City Council the PCO’s effort to proceed with the public process for the H1 overlay extension in the Parkridge area.”

 

PCO is seeking the normal protocol for general rezonings. This starts with a resolution from City Council asking the Metropolitan Planning Commission to study and make recommendation on the proposed rezoning. A favorable recommendation from MPC would go back to City Council in the form of an ordinance requiring two readings and votes.

 

For historic overlay requests, the Historic Zoning Commission also is asked to review the proposal and make a recommendation to City Council.

 

As proposed by PCO, the new H1 area would be bounded by Glenwood Avenue from Winona Street to Olive Street, Washington Avenue to Chestnut Street, Jefferson Avenue to Cherry Street, and Woodbine Avenue to Cherry Street.

 

This would be the first major expansion of an H1 Overlay District since such districts were established in Old Mechanicsville (1991), Old North Knoxville (1992), Parkridge (Edgewood-Park City, 1997), Fourth & Gill (1999) and Market Square (2001).

 

See https://parkridgecommunity.wordpress.com/preservation/planning/ for more detail on the Parkridge proposal, which has been debated in earnest for over the past year.

 

To view the current H1 zone in Parkridge, visit http://www.kgis.org/kgismaps/map.htm , zoom in on Parkridge, and select “Maps” and “zoning” in the left hand navigation column.

3.  City Seeks Nominations for Neighborhood Achievement Awards

 

The City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods is now accepting applications for Neighborhood Achievement Awards.

 

These awards will be presented at the Neighborhood Awards & Networking Luncheon to be held at the Knoxville Convention Center on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

 

Neighborhood groups are encouraged to apply, and it is also possible for an individual or another organization to nominate a neighborhood group. The deadline for submitting an application/nomination is Monday, January 11, 2016. Download the application/nomination form. Or call Debbie Sharp at 215-4382 to have a hard copy mailed to you.

 

Any resident-led, resident-controlled city neighborhood group recognized by the Office of Neighborhoods is eligible to apply or be nominated for this award. This includes neighborhood associations, homeowners associations, neighborhood watch groups and tenant/renter associations.

 

Whether your group is large or small, well established or brand new, your group is encouraged to apply. The awards will showcase accomplishments by neighborhood groups during calendar year 2014 and 2015. Example accomplishments include:

 

— Beautification and place-making projects, green spaces and community gardens, and other physical improvements to the neighborhood;

 

— Projects, events and activities that focus on connecting neighbors with one another, such as street fairs, potlucks, home tours, holiday celebrations, and neighbors helping neighbors;

 

— New or ongoing communication efforts such as newsletters, social media and phone tree networks; and

 

— Activities involved in launching, reviving, or strengthening a neighborhood group.

 

Working with the Office of Neighborhoods, an awards committee will select winners from the pool of applications and nominations. The number and category of awards will be determined by the awards committee based on the applications.  The winners will be announced at the March 5, 2016 Neighborhood Awards & Networking Luncheon.

 

4. Participants Sought for City’s 225^th Anniversary Celebration

 

The City of Knoxville was founded on October 3, 1791, and preparations have begun for a 225^thAnniversary Celebration next year.

 

Visit Knoxville, the convention and visitors bureau for Knoxville and Knox County, is seeking participants (including neighborhood organizations) to join the celebration.

 

Since the idea is to celebrate the city throughout its history, neighborhood organizations who wish to participate are limited only by their creativity in how they relate to the 225 theme. Ideas might range from a neighborhood history project (youth interviewing older residents) to the dedication of a time capsule to a special event to a service project.

 

Any neighborhood or neighborhood group can participate, not just “historic” neighborhoods. Interested groups have time to plan an activity that can become part of the celebration during the year and that can be added to a special 225 website at any point.

 

To explore ideas, contact Calvin Chappelle, heritage tourism coordinator for Visit Knoxville at[email protected] or 865-951-6614.

 

Among the elements now in the planning:

— There will be a 225 kick-off event on February 6, which is the 220th anniversary of the day that the Tennessee Constitution was signed.

 

— All local art and cultural organizations will be encouraged to highlight their activities under the 225th anniversary lens. The Arts and Culture Alliance and the East Tennessee Historical Society will also be major partners in programming.

 

— Jack Neely and the Knoxville History Project / Knoxville Mercury newspaper will create a “Top 25” most interesting and compelling historical facts about the city.

 

— Preexisting festivals such as Dogwood Arts will feature some aspect of 225.

 

— June 1 is Tennessee Statehood Day, and the Historic Homes of Knoxville and the East Tennessee Historical Society will be offering programming.

 

— The grand finale will occur on the weekend leading up to Oct. 3, 2016, which is the actual 225th anniversary date. The Historic Homes of Knoxville will have their annual Founders Day Luncheon on that day.

 

5. BZA Decisions Can Impact Your Neighborhood

 

Ten properties are on the agenda for next week’s meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

 

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.

 

BZA meets next Thursday, Dec. 17. Addresses on the agenda include 1421 Southgate Road in Sequoyah Hills, 6909 Quail Drive in Deane Hill, 2701 Spence Place (Island Home Airport), 226 N. Peters Road in West Knoxville, 5760 Grove Drive next to Fountain City Elementary School, 3447 Reagan Avenue in Marble City, 9956 Dutchtown Road in West Knoxville, 515 Wellsley Park Road and 7310-7350 Antoinette Way off Deane Hill Drive, 1995 Henley Street next to Henley Bridge south of the river, and 9546 S. Northshore Drive in West Knoxville.

 

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.

 

The BZA agenda is posted on the city website. Browse to www.knoxvilletn.gov/boards and click on Board of Zoning Appeals. The agenda is posted no later than the Monday prior to the BZA meeting each month.

 

A neighborhood group that keeps track of BZA will call the Plans Review & Inspections Department at 215-3669 to 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. A group can also request a postponement to allow time to meet with the applicant.

 

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.

6. KKB Revamps Orchid Categories, Seeks Nominations

 

Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) is now accepting nominations from the public for its beautification awards, the Orchids, that recognize exceptional work on buildings and outdoor spaces that beautify the local landscape in both the city and county.

 

Orchid Awards will be granted in the six categories: New Architecture, Redesign/Reuse, Restaurant/Cafe/Bar/Brewery, Environmental Stewardship, Outdoor Space, and Public Art.

 

“This year we revamped a few of the categories to reflect some of the changes happening in our dynamic city,” said Patience Melnik, KKB’s executive director. “We added the restaurant/brewery, environmental stewardship, and public art categories to celebrate these growing elements in our community.”

 

Anyone can nominate a location or outdoor public artwork by completing a simple online form on KKB’s website at www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org, or by calling the office at 865-521-6957.

 

Each year, an independent panel of judges assesses the dozens of award nominations. Past panels have included architects, commercial builders, realtors, landscape architects, historic preservationists, community leaders, and owners of properties that have received Orchid Awards in the past.

 

Keep Knoxville Beautiful will announce the winners of the beautification awards at the annual Orchids Awards Dinner on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at The Standard, 416 W. Jackson Avenue. Tickets can be purchased on the KKB website.

 

Private residences are not considered for this award. Properties can win only once except in cases of major renovations. Nominations are due by Friday, January 8, 2015.

 

7. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

 

Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-4382.

 

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 scook@knoxvilletn.gov or 215-2034 no lessthan 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend. For an English interpreter, contact Joshalyn Hundley, Title VI Coordinator, at 865.215.3867 or at [email protected].

 

Tuesday, December 8 — 4-5 p.m.

City of Knoxville Greenways Commission

(Second Tuesdays, even-numbered months)

Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail

http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions/greenways_commission/

Lori Goerlich, Parks & Recreation Dept., 215-2807

 

Tuesday, December 8 — 6 p.m.

Brown Avenue Neighborhood Watch (Second Tuesdays)

Hoitt Ave. Baptist Church, 2121 Hoitt Ave.

Jimmy Ramsey, 637-0243

 

Tuesday, December 8 — 7 p.m.

City Council (Every Other Tuesday)

Main Assembly Room, City County Building

http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/citycouncil

Agenda: http://knoxvillecitytn.iqm2.com

 

Wednesday, December 9 — 10-11:30 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, December 9 — 11:30 a.m.

Community Forum (Second Wednesdays)

Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golf Club Road

Sue Mauer, 690-0269

 

Thursday, December 10 — 1:30 p.m.

Metropolitan Planning Commission (Second Thursdays)

Large Assembly Room, City County Building

http://www.knoxmpc.org

Agenda: http://agenda.knoxmpc.org

 

Thursday, December 10 — 5:30 p.m.

Public Input Meeting

Review final design plans for Sevier Avenue Streetscapes Improvement Project

South Knoxville Elementary School, 801 Sevier Ave.

Dawn Michelle Foster, [email protected] , 215-2607

 

Thursday, December 10 — 6 p.m.

Lonsdale Homes Resident Association (Second Thursdays)

Community Building, 1956 Goins Dr.

Phyllis Patrick, 323-7224

 

Friday, December 11 — 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, December 11 — 6 p.m.

Beaumont Community Organization (Second Fridays)

Community Room, Solid Waste Transfer Station, 1033 Elm St.

Natasha Murphy, 936-0139

 

Saturday, December 12 — 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, 851-6671

 

Saturday, December 12 — 2-4 p.m.

Holiday Party

Burlington Residents Association

Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway

Kimberley Fowler, 524-7094, [email protected]

 

Saturday, December 12 — 4:30-8 p.m.

Holiday Open House

Music, artwork, door prizes, refreshments

Candoro Arts and Heritage Center, 4450 Candora Dr.

Sharon Davis, 640-5700

 

Sunday, December 13 — 2 p.m.

Historic Sutherland Heights Neighborhood Association

(Second Sundays, even-numbered months)

Marble City Baptist Church, 2740 Sutherland Avenue

John Yates, 588-8883, [email protected]

 

Monday, December 14 — 11:30 a.m.

Central Business Improvement District (CBID) Board Meeting

Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square

http://www.downtownknoxville.org/

Michele Hummel, 246-2654, [email protected]

 

Monday, December 14 — 1:30 p.m.

Montgomery Village Residents Association (Second Mondays)

4600 Joe Lewis Rd. #175

Ronnie Thompson, 583-9221

 

Monday, December 14 — 3 p.m.

Northgate Resident Association (Second Mondays)

Social Hall, 4301 Whittle Springs Rd.

David Wildsmith, 219-0417

 

Monday, December 14 — 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, December 14 — 6 p.m.

Lyons View Community Club (Second Mondays)

Lyons View Community Center, 114 Sprankle Ave.

Mary Brewster, 454-2390

 

Monday, December 14 — 6 p.m.

Vestal Community Organization (Second Mondays)

South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Old Maryville Pike

Katherine Johnson, 566-1198

 

Monday, December 14 — 6 p.m.

Fountain City Town Hall Board Meeting (Second Mondays)

Board Meetings: 6 p.m. Monthly

General Membership Meetings: 7 p.m., February, April, September, November

Church of the Good Shepherd, 5337 Jacksboro Pike

Jamie Rowe, 688-9525, [email protected]

 

Monday, December 14 — 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 December 14 — 6:30 p.m.

Historic Old North Knoxville (Second Mondays)

St. James Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 1101 N. Broadway

Andie Ray, 548-5221

 

Monday, December 14 — 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

 

After the last LHHA meeting, a couple of new neighbors asked me for recommendations of walking trails nearby. There are many in South Knoxville but my current favorite is High Ground Park, a truly beautiful set of trails on historic grounds just off Cherokee Trail right next to the immense baby blue water tower. Can’t miss it from the road because its stonework is exceptional. Lots of parking. Particularly good for families with children and older people. Very nice interpretive signs. And, to top it all off, comfortable seating and spectacular views at the summit of the trails as nearly all of the leaves come down. See http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/parks/south/high-ground-park.

Across the street from High Ground is a rougher Wilderness Area that is also worthwhile exploring if you’re more of a hiker.

Theresa Pepin

Does anyone have a Bowflex exercise device they wish to sell? We are hoping to find one in great condition. Please contact me via email: [email protected].

Thanks,

Julie Guenther

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 41 – Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015

 

PDF Version: http://bit.ly/NeighborhoodAdvisory2015-12-01

 

1. Public Meeting Tonight on Brownfield Clean-up
2. Holiday Events Include Home Tours, Decorating Contest, Parties
3. Nominate Your Neighbor for the 2016 Good Neighbor of the Year Award
4. Edgewood Park, Pond Gap Elect Officers
5. City Council Meeting Date Changed
6. Better Building Board Meets Thursday
7. Testify on Blighted Properties at Meeting This Week
8. Learn about Sevier Avenue Design Plans This Week
9.  City Sells Parcel for Lonsdale Garden
10. 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 Meeting Tonight on Brownfield Clean-up

 

The City of Knoxville will conduct a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. this evening (Tuesday, Dec. 1) at All Occasions Catering, 922 N. Central Street, to review the City’s brownfield cleanup grant applications to the Environmental Protection Agency for properties on Jackson Avenue and Broadway.

 

The applications seek up to $200,000 for the former McClung Warehouses and associated properties on West Jackson Avenue between Gay Street and Broadway, as well as the former Sanitary Laundry Property at  625 N. Broadway.

 

The presentations will include a brief overview of the properties, the environmental issues associated with each property, the plan for cleanup activities and the grant application.

 

2. Holiday Events Include Home Tours, Decorating Contest, Parties

 

Neighborhood and community-based organizations across the city are planning a variety of festive events and service projects this holiday season.

 

Providing opportunities for neighbors to meet and get to know one another is a top priority for successful neighborhood organizations. A strong social bond among neighbors allows an organization to take on tasks and work through controversial issues that might otherwise seem impossible.

 

The Fire Street Lofts Homeowners Association raised $125 and purchased a Honey Baked ham and all the trimmings to give to the firefighters at the downtown station. “Our residents are super grateful for the Fire Department’s service to the city and their willingness to work holidays when others are enjoying family and friends!” noted Ginger Kielarowski. The Fire Street lofts are located on West Jackson Avenue.

 

RiverHill Gateway Neighborhood Association will meet at the Marriott from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, in collaboration with the Global Day of Giving. Music, snacks and beverages will be provided.

 

Five Points Up, a community-based group organized to beautify and unify Five Points and East Knoxville, is hosting its Winter Wonderland event on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hardy Park and Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2137 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The event is free to the public and will include vendors, caroling, and holiday treats, as well as holiday lights and décor all around. For more, contact Sarah Bounse at the Knox County Health Department at 215-5187.

 

Historic Old North Knoxville will host its 27^th Annual Victorian Holiday Tour of Homes this weekend, and the general public is invited. The Candlelight Tour will occur from 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, followed by an Afternoon Tour onSunday December 6, 12:30-5 p.m. The event showcases nine Victorian and Craftsman style homes plus one historic church decorated for the holidays.

 

Home Tour tickets are now on sale at 15 area Kroger stores and at PayPal via  www.oldnorthknoxville.com. Advance tickets are $10 until midnight on Friday Dec. 4. Day-of-event tickets cost $15 but $10 for seniors. Children under 12 are free with an adult. Pick up programs and ride a shuttle from the ONK ticket booth at the Tennova/St. Mary’s Hospital parking lot on Woodland Avenue.

 

Guests should allow themselves two to three hours to enjoy the event. Some walking is necessary, and some houses have steps. Details and a preview of the homes can be found at www.oldnorthknoxville.com  orwww.facebook.com/ONKhometour.

 

Chilhowee Park Neighborhood Association has announced its Second Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest, which is free and open to all CPNA residents. Residences that are decorated and with lights turned on will be judged on Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 6-8 p.m. when judges (who are not residents of the neighborhood) make the rounds. Exterior decorations will be judged on originality, theme, and overall curb appeal. Winners will be recognized on the CPNA website, Facebook, and possibly the local newspaper. Feel free to drive through the neighborhood and around Chilhowee Park to check out all the festive lights!

 

Fairmont-Emoriland Neighborhood Association in North Knoxville and Forest Heights Homeowners Associationin West Knoxville will each conduct a holiday homes tour and social gathering for neighborhood residents this coming weekend.

 

The Timbercrest Neighborhood Association will hold its second annual Christmas Party and Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 (rescheduled from Nov. 29) at the corner of Timber Pass and Timbercrest Trail. There will be music, cookies and hot chocolate. Lights will be turned on at 6 p.m.

 

Also on Dec. 6 (also rescheduled from Nov. 29), Bearden Council will conduct its first ever Bearden tree lighting at the new Everly Brothers Park at the corner of Kingston Pike and North Forest Park Blvd. Friends will gather starting at 5:30 p.m. Santa will attend, the West High School chorus will perform, and the tree lights will be turned on at 6 p.m.

 

Candoro Arts and Heritage Center will hold its annual holiday open house from 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the center, 4450 Candora Drive. There will be refreshments, drawings, music by the Jazzphonics, an art display, and a brief program at 6 p.m. honoring Trudy Monaco, founder of CAHC.

 

Historic Sutherland Heights is holding its usual cookies-and-cake Christmas celebration at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 13, at Marble City Baptist Church, 2738 Sutherland Avenue.

 

Wesley Neighbors Community Association is holding its annual Holiday Dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Calhoun’s on Bearden Hill.  Friends and neighbors are welcome. The cost is $20. Mary Pom Claiborne of Knox County Public Library is the guest speaker.  RSVP to [email protected] or 297-7045.

 

Alpine Meadow Homeowners Association is having a potluck party for residents on Sunday, Dec. 13, and the group is asking guests to bring a gift or donation for the Tennessee Humane Society. A representative of the Office of Neighborhoods will speak.

 

At its regular monthly meeting at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 16, the Eastport/Lee Williams Neighborhood Watch will celebrate the holiday with gift bags of fruit, nuts, candy, and prizes for adults — and candy, coloring books, surprises, and Teddy Bears for neighboring children.

 

South Knoxville Neighborhood and Business Coalition — composed of representatives of neighborhood organizations and the South Knoxville Alliance — once again is planning a holiday party at a member’s home.

 

3. Nominate Your Neighbor for the 2016 Good Neighbor of the Year Award

 

What makes a good neighbor?

 

Is it just someone who keeps up his property and minds his own business? Or is it that outgoing person who takes time to chat and offers you a tomato from her summer garden? Is it the person who drives an elderly neighbor to and from the doctor’s office — or perhaps the neighbor who always shows up at neighborhood cleanup events?

 

Good neighbors are friendly and helpful, respect the privacy of others, drive at a reasonable speed through the neighborhood, take responsibility for their children and pets, pitch in when needed, and watch out for others.

 

In Knoxville, we celebrate good neighbors with the Diana Conn Neighbor of the Year Award.

 

Nominations are now being accepted for this award, which is presented annually to a City of Knoxville resident who — in the spirit of cooperation and with commitment to inclusive community — has devoted time and talent in service to his or her neighbors and neighborhood.

 

A committee made up of Neighborhood Advisory Council members will select the winner, who (along with other finalists) will be announced at the 2016 Neighborhood Awards and Networking Luncheon on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Knoxville Convention Center.

 

Who in your neighborhood deserves this award?

 

To learn more, visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/neighborhoods and click on Good Neighbor of the Year Award. Or justdownload the form. The form is easy to fill out. Just use your own words to describe the person you wish to honor.

 

The deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 18, at 4:30 p.m.  The nominations can be sent to Debbie Sharp by email to [email protected] or by mail to Office of Neighborhoods – Room 528, City of Knoxville, P.O. Box 1631, Knoxville, TN 37901. Or call Debbie to receive a hard copy of the form in the mail.

 

The award was named for the late Diana Conn and was presented to her posthumously at the 2013 Neighborhood Conference. The next two winners were Betty Jo Mahan in 2014 and Rita Schwartz in 2015.

 

4. Edgewood Park, Pond Gap Elect Officers

 

The Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association held annual elections at its November 17 meeting.  Pete Pallesen will continue as president. Michael Duerr was elected vice-president; Julie Taylor was re-elected corresponding and recording secretary; and Carol Zimmerman was re-elected treasurer.

 

Pond Gap Neighborhood Association elected new officers for the next two-year term, 2016-2017. The president will remain David Williams; the vice president will be Jill McKenzie, who replaces Pete Waggoner; and the Secretary will be Betty Williams, who replaces Susan Waggoner. Russell Hall and Jackie Bonvin will be co-chairs of the Beautification Committee.

 

5. City Council Meeting Date Changed

 

Due to the winter holidays, Knoxville City Council has rescheduled its Dec. 22 meeting to Thursday, Dec. 17. Council’sDec. 8 and Dec. 17 meetings will be the last ones for the year. See http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_council to review the Council members, meeting schedule, current and past agendas, and other Council information.

 

6. Better Building Board Meets Thursday

 

Two properties are on the agenda for this week’s Better Building Board (BBB) meeting at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 3, in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building.

 

The City’s Community Development Department is recommending that the properties at 507 Hickory Drive including accessory structure (Parcel ID 068J-C-027) and 3738 Speedway Circle (Parcel ID 082D-D-030) be determined blighted.

 

Neighbors affected by these properties may wish to be present to testify on their impact on the neighborhood.

 

For a full copy of the December BBB agenda, with details and owner information on each property, visithttp://knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions and click on the Better Building Board.

 

Under the city’s Chronic Problem Properties ordinance, a property first determined and then later certified by the BBB to be blighted can eventually be acquired by the City, using its eminent domain powers, if the owner fails to take corrective action.

 

Blighted properties acquired by the city are listed for sale through Community Development’s Homemaker’s Program. See:

http://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/community_development/homemaker_program/

 

7. Testify on Blighted Properties at Meeting This Week

 

Twenty-one properties are on the agenda for the City’s next Public Officer Hearing at 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 4.

 

The Public Officer — David Brace, senior director of public works — will hear testimony on buildings that inspectors contend are in violation of the city’s building codes. Testimony can also be made by the property owners, neighbors, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders, such as lien holders.

 

The Public Officer then decides whether to issue an order requiring that the violations be addressed within a certain period of time. Failure by the owner to cure the problem may result in the boarding or demolition of a structure, or the cleanup of a dirty or overgrown lot, with costs billed to the owner. A property owner may appeal the Public Officer’s decision to the Better Building Board and, ultimately, to Chancery Court.

 

The properties to be heard for repair/demolition orders are: 121 East Caldwell Avenue (including accessory structure), 1404 Chicago Avenue, 1025 Durmast Drive (including accessory structure), 2038 East Fifth Avenue, 1606 East Glenwood Avenue, 2513 Harvey Street a/k/a accessory structure at 432/434 East Morelia Avenue, 1248 Iredell Avenue (including accessory structure), 1111 Louisiana Avenue, 2128 Mississippi Avenue (including accessory structure, 1405 Rickard Drive (including accessory structure), 2208 Southside Drive, 3738 Speedway Circle, 1615 Sterchi Street (including accessory structure), 1217 University Avenue, 708 Washburn Road a/k/a 704 Washburn Road, and 2721 White Oak Lane (including accessory structure).

 

The structures at 2111 Citrus Street, 2115 Citrus Street, 141 South Cruze Street, 2005 Forest Avenue, and 205 Green Road (including accessory structure) will be considered for confirmation of previously issued emergency repair/demolition orders.

 

If any of these properties are in your neighborhood, then you or a representative of your organization may wish to attend the meeting to submit testimony about the impact of the property on the neighborhood.

 

The full December 4 agenda, with details on each property, can be found at http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/UserFile/Servers/Server_109478/File/Boards/betterbuilding/agenda_poh.pdf.

 

8. Learn about Sevier Avenue Design Plans Next Week

 

Representatives from the City of Knoxville’s Office of Redevelopment and Engineering Department along with consultant Vaughn and Melton will hold a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, to review final design plans for the Sevier Avenue Streetscapes Improvement Project. The meeting will be held at South Knoxville Elementary School.

 

Proposed improvements for Sevier Avenue include a new two-lane streetscape with bike lanes, improved sidewalks, street lighting, on-street parking and a new roundabout at the Sevier Avenue, Island Home Avenue and Foggy Bottom Street intersections.

 

Streetscape improvements are also planned for Barber and Foggy Bottom streets and will provide connectivity to the new Waterfront Drive and Suttree Landing Park.

 

Improvements are also planned for Davenport Road and Phillips Avenue in the vicinity of South Knoxville Elementary to provide better traffic circulation and pedestrian connections to the school.

 

There will be a two-week public comment period after the Dec. 10 meeting.

 

9. City Sells Parcel for Lonsdale Garden

 

A nonprofit group is creating a community garden in Lonsdale that will offer plots to local families, as well as fruit trees and berry bushes that will provide produce for the whole community.

 

City Council on Oct. 27 approved the sale of a parcel at 1229 Louisiana Ave. to Thrive Lonsdale, a nonprofit organization that serves children in the neighborhood. The organization plans to convert the parcel of land into a community garden.

 

“We are so excited to be working with the City’s urban agriculture initiative and to be providing the Lonsdale community with a place to steward their gifts,” said Beth Aaser, Thrive Lonsdale’s garden director.

 

The lot was sold to Thrive Lonsdale through the City Community Development Department’s Homemaker Program, which makes vacant, often dilapidated properties available for sale to nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, private developers and individuals with the stipulation that the owner rehabilitates the existing structure, builds a new dwelling or maintains the vacant lot.

 

“In this case, the parcel is unbuildable, so a neighborhood garden is a perfect use for this vacant lot,” said Becky Wade, City Community Development Director.

 

Aaser added: “Our desire is to see an abandoned lot turned into a beautiful and welcoming space. Functionally, this garden will house raised garden beds for 20 local families along with communal fruit trees and berry bushes.”

 

The garden is centrally located in the middle of Lonsdale, directly across from Lonsdale Elementary School. Some citizens had requested that the lot be used for overflow parking for the elementary school, but neither the zoning nor the Homemakers Program guidelines would have allowed that use.

 

For more information or to find out how to donate money, materials or labor, visit www.thrivelonsdale.com.

 

10. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

 

Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-4382.

 

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 scook@knoxvilletn.gov or 215-2034 no lessthan 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend. For an English interpreter, contact Joshalyn Hundley, Title VI Coordinator, at 865.215.3867 or at [email protected].

 

Tuesday, December 1 — 4:30 p.m.

Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch (First Tuesdays)

Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave.

Lawrence Washington, 524-4498

 

Tuesday, December 1 — 6 p.m.

            Mechanicsville Community Association (First Tuesdays)

Fairview Recreation Center, 1628 Dora St.

Charles Wright, 637-1802

 

Wednesday, December 2 — 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]

 

Wednesday, December 2 — 5 p.m.

Knox County Board of Education – Regular Session (First Wednesdays)

First Floor Board Room, Andrew Johnson Building, 912 South Gay St.

For agenda, work sessions, and other items:

Visit http://knoxschools.org. Click on “Board of Education.”

 

Thursday, December 3 — 3:30 p.m.

Better Building Board

(Last Thursday, January-October. First Thursday, December)

Small Assembly Room, City-County Building

http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions/better_building_board/

Cheri Hollifield, 215-2119, [email protected]

 

Thursday, December 3 — 6-7:30 p.m.

Winter Wonderland Celebration

Caroling, holiday treats, Christmas lights, and vendors. Free to the public.

Five PointsUp

Tabernacle Baptist Church and Hardy Park, 2137 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Terrell Patrick, 525-4833

 

Friday, December 4 — 9:30 a.m.

Public Officer Hearing – Neighborhood Codes Enforcement

(Usually held on the Friday following Better Building Board meetings)

The PO considers action on violations of city’s building codes.

Small Assembly Room, City County Building

http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/boards_commissions/better_building_board/

Cheri Hollifield, 215-2119, [email protected]

 

Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6

Historic Old North Knoxville Victorian Holiday Home Tour

Saturday Dec. 5: 4-9 p.m. (Candlelight Tour)

Sunday Dec. 6:  12:30-5 p.m. (Afternoon Tour)

Tickets $10 in advanced or $15 day of event – can be purchased online or at Kroger

Lauren Rider, 964-3905, http://www.victorianholidayhometour.com/

 

Sunday, December 6 – 5 p.m.

2^nd Annual Timbercrest Christmas Party and Tree Lighting

Corner of Timber Pass and Timbercrest Trail

Music, cookies, hot chocolate — and tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Timbercrest Neighborhood Association

Jen Leadbetter, [email protected], 292-3437

 

Sunday, December 6 — 5:30 p.m.

Christmas Tree Lighting in Everly Brothers Park

Santa, West High School Chorus, and tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Kingston Pike at N. Forest Park Blvd.

Bearden Council

Terry Faulkner, [email protected], 584-3659

We’re upgrading and have a well-loved, but still in very good shape Reebok RL-545 Elliptical Trainer we are looking to give away (rather than just have it hauled away).  If you’re interested, call us at 865-247-7040 and make arrangements to pick it up.  It can be semi-disassembled for easier moving.

This is a good machine for indoor exercising over the winter!  It has a battery operated console to track time, distance, calories, etc. as well as a built in fan and heart rate tracker in the handles.  You can increase resistance for a tough workout or go easy.  There are several pre-programmed workouts as well.

Here is a link to the user manual (couldn’t find a link to the machine itself).  https://www.manualowl.com/m/Reebok/Rl545-Elliptical/Manual/345380

Laura Ward

 

We have had a medium sized dog (lab mix) in our neighborhood for about three weeks.  Yesterday, I was able to approach it.  It’s very hungry.  It’s black, medium hair length, wavy, grey muzzle, collar with box for electronic fence (Pet stop).  The dog is well trained – can sit and stay on command but obviously lost or dumped..

Please call me (Karen Hughes 974-6387 or 851-9155) or send an e-mail ([email protected])  if you know where this dog belongs.  I will have to take it to the shelter pretty soon if it’s not claimed.

 

Karen Hughes

I checked with Andy’s list and did not find any listing for generator service. I seem to remember some email threads about that subject from several members of the form. I have used a generator service for some period of time, but I’m no longer sure they are available. Would like some recommendations from those of you who have generators, in particular,whole house or similar thanks, David

It is that special time of the year again, a time to pull our decorations out of the attic and the basement and create a beautiful festive neighborhood atmosphere during the holiday season. The Beautification Committee has been working to help in this effort.

Several neighbors have met together to make lovely bows to adorn all the street signs. They will be hung this coming weekend for your month long enjoyment. There will also be additional decorations in various parts of the neighborhood.

Again this year, a selection committee will drive the streets during the week of December 7-14 to choose three residences that are especially festive. The selections will be made, announced and signs placed in the yards on Monday, December 14.

We encourage everyone to contribute to the festivity making this a special Holiday destination for friends and family. This has been a wonderful year and it is nice to celebrate by lighting a tree or a candle. I know we are all grateful to be living on “the quiet side of the river.”

Happy Thanksgiving from the Beautification Committee!

 

 

My daughter needs an exercise bike for rehab after hip surgery. After giving one away less than a month ago, we need the use of one for a few weeks. Does anyone have one to spare?

Forrest Orr

865-679-1970