Halls subdivision faces opposition at MPC 

By Ed Marcum, News-Sentinel staff writer
September 11, 2002 

A proposed 72-lot subdivision in Halls is generating opposition from homeowners who say it can worsen flooding and harm property values. 

However, Metropolitan Planning Commission planners recommend Solomon Place subdivision be approved, with some conditions. MPC will consider the matter when it meets Thursday, Sept. 12. 

Also on Thursday's MPC agenda is consideration of an ordinance amendment tightening regulations on rooming and boarding houses in Knoxville. 

The Wireless Communication Facilities Plan, which attempts to balance the need to provide wireless phone coverage for Knox County with the need to limit the visual impact of cell towers, also is back on the agenda. MPC planners recommend its approval, but Mary Miller, an attorney for telecommunications companies, said there are still problems. 

The aesthetic goals in the plan often will conflict with the technical requirements of providing wireless coverage, Miller said in a letter to MPC. 
LBH Developers has submitted initial subdivision plans and a use-on-review request for Solomon Place, a 72-lot subdivision proposed on 33 acres on the southwest of Hill Road south of Cabbage Drive. Its access would be from Hill Road. 

MPC received a 146-name petition plus several letters in opposition to the proposal. Complaints are that Solomon Place would have too many homes per acre compared to the surrounding neighborhood and that the homes would be of lesser quality than those nearby. Residents also were concerned about increased traffic and flooding problems because of the development. 

According to an MPC planning staff report, the proposal meets guidelines for approval as long as 10 conditions are met. Some include resolving the issue of a neighboring property owner's septic drain field that may extend into the property and making sure there is safe sight distance from the property for drivers. 

A staff report says the developer proposes to flatten out a curve where the subdivision will have its entrance on Hill Road to provide a better field of view. 

MPC planners recommend approval of amendments to the Knoxville zoning ordinance that would prohibit rooming and boarding houses under the low-density residential zoning category and allow them only after use-on-review approval in the general, high-density and planned residential zones. 

Knoxville City Council sent the matter to MPC because of concerns expressed by homeowners that rooming and boarding houses were not sufficiently regulated. 

Tomica Miller, president of Old North Knoxville Inc., wrote the mayor and city council members with her concerns. She emphasized she was speaking for herself and not the organization, but Miller said rooming and boarding homes could have an adverse effect on parking, traffic or other conditions, especially in historic neighborhoods. 

MPC will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the Large Assembly Room of the City County Building. For information on other agenda items, call MPC at 215-2500 or visit the MPC Web site at www.knoxmpc.org. 

Ed Marcum may be reached at 865-342-6267 or at marcum@knews.com. 

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