Inspecting The Metropolitan Planning Commission, Southwest Sector Plan, Knox County Engineering Department, Knox County Commission and Canton Hollow Road.
Before I begin, let me first tell l you that I have been a Planning Board Member, I have appointed Planning Board Members, I have hired and replaced Planning and Zoning Board Attorneys and Engineers. I have had a great deal of success in land use review and improvement.
On the 13th of July this year the MPC approved a change of zoning and increased density for three lots on Canton Hollow Rd. The change of Zoning was less of a concern as it was not currently being used as a farm. The change in Density from LDR (low density residential) to MDR (medium density residential) represents a potential increase from 1-5 residential dwellings per acre to 1-12 residential dwellings. And all the other regulatory nonsense that goes with it. The applicant was clear in his desire to bring low income housing and mobile homes to not only this property but the one he owns across the street.
The MPC, despite paid County Professional recommendations to the contrary and their own Sector Planning Document, paid for by our tax dollars, approved the application. This occurred after the Chairwoman had just admonished a resident for having been un-aware of this sacred document and not having participated in its creation on a previous application. The Chairwoman of the MPC displayed a great deal of personal preference for sidewalks during the 3 plus hours I spent there, having mentioned it several dozen times. Another member became giddy with the idea of low income housing in the area full of houses that currently cost in excess of a few hundred thousand and sidewalks because not everyone can afford a car. The idea of “tiny houses” (mini mobile homes) was met with glee.
The Knox County Engineering department was on hand to lend their support by indicating that they are currently working on plans to bring walkable communities to the 5th district specifically Canton Hollow Rd. They made it known that the County would be conducting a hearing at the High School the following week. As a result, I had asked in my comment period that the decision before the Planning Commission be delayed until such time the public could attend that hearing and get further details that the engineering department did not have available at that meeting. (I attended that hearing yesterday, the format for the meeting Noticed by Knox County was poorly structured, it was not in fact a hearing as much as it was an opportunity for the engineering firm that is going to do the project to advertise. A road determined to be the #1 most dangerous Road in Knox County. That’s right, now we want to put pedestrians on it. I would not worry too much about pedestrians though. Every Planning and engineering study ever conducted referenced a population density of greater than 8 dwelling unit per acre and most focus on 12 units and higher. Why? Because it is simply not cost effective to put sidewalks in where there is no use or need.
Did I mention that by current planning if you have MDR you also need sidewalks? Currently the Southwest Sector Plan has identified a shortfall of recreational facilities beyond the available funding for the next several decades. One prominent individual quoted a popular movie “if you build it they will come”. If that is the planning model we are using for community development on Canton Hollow Road I would suggest they look beyond 1.8 miles of low density road.
One final note and I am confident that Brian Hornback will appreciate this reference. Sandra Clark formerly of “Slopper News” wrote about the Canton Hollow Road meeting today. I found it interesting that her story lacked any background or information other than what the people agree with her told her. I was there the entire time and never saw her. I make it a point to engage all parties when I “inspect” I encourage everyone living in Knox County to follow this issue going forward. Re-code Knoxville is being paid for by the city, the decisions being made by MPC are being driven by the City. The people involved in this effort stated in a public forum this morning that the MPC Will make decisions based on Re-code Knoxville for Knox County. In the end County residents will foot the bill. According to the MPC Chairwoman, it is the County Commissions responsibility to come up with the funding for their planning and zoning decisions. They don’t fund projects, they approve them. County Commission meets on the 28th of August to approve the MPC Decision 7pm city county building. The Video of the MPC Meeting on July 13 is on their website.
