Monday, October 11, 2004
South Doyle Middle School Library
Meeting Summary

Members Present - Councilmen Joe Hultquist and Chris Woodhull (Co-Chairs), Tom Allen, Jim Arnett, Joe Bailey, Ben Birdwell, John Finger, Margaret Gripshover, Jim Hagerman, Pat Harmon, Lynne Miller, Barry Neal, Martha Olsen, Bob Petrone, Eugene Robinson, Dean Shipley, Ed Smith, Whitney Stanley, Marilyn Roddy, and Sylvia Woods.

Mike Conger and Jeff Welch from the TPO were present, along with Renee Davis from MPC, and Mike Dunthorn from the City of Knoxville ’s Community Development Office. David Kitts and Kathy Hamilton from Leadership Knoxville served as meeting facilitators. Participants enjoyed refreshments and informal discussion during a meet and greet social time beginning at 5 PM.

At 5:30, Councilman Chris Woodhull welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. He outlined that the agenda for the evening included organized discussion about next steps, but first we would discuss the recent public meetings, asking everyone what they thought.

General comments – they were better attended than most public hearings, with informative presentation. Peggy noted the need for more time for people to talk and comment from the audience to the entire group, which is different from one-on-one discussion. This question/answer time was cut short in order to have a second presentation for those arriving later. The issue of banning billboards was discussed, as brought up at one of the public meetings.

Renee Davis outlined some major themes of public input:

From those in favor of building, we heard about….

  • Improving Chapman, adding turn lanes in particular
  • Timeliness of the project and the need to get something done – let the process begin
  • Need for safer, convenient roads that serve the overall population
  • Need to determine the cost of the project
  • Handling future needs and planning for increased development in and around Seymour
  • Environmental problems including water and air quality
  • Sprawl and loss of habitat
  • Impact on residential areas and the need to address neighborhood and scenic preservation
  • Types of land use and the need to control some types of development, including billboards
  • Build as freeway

From those opposed to building, we heard about….

  • Environmental problems including water and air quality
  • Urban sprawl and loss of habitat, the need to preserve undeveloped land
  • Need to preserve character and uniqueness of the area
  • Traffic projections have been faulty in the past, future travel demand is uncertain
  • Need for alternative transportation and better pedestrian access.
  • Lack of need if other routes are improved, fixing Chapman will fix problem
  • Cost of extension is too expensive
  • Need for more comprehensive planning
  • Need to reduce speeds on Chapman and increase safety

Public comments were discussed, as well as whether or not task force members should fill out the comment sheets. Approximately 50 responses were collected from people who opposed building, and 86 from people who supported building. Some other people did not indicate a preference and their comments are listed together. Renee noted that each individual comment sheet or email or letter had been logged into the list provided to the task force members, and copies of the original sheets were available also. If a couple clearly filled out a sheet together this is indicated in the comment by (Mr and Mrs). Also the meeting location where the sheet was received is indicated, and all comments mailed or emailed (or from other meeting venues, such as a community association) has been added to the end as ‘other’.

Other discussion included – 1) we heard from people who didn’t want it because it is near them, they tend to want it if it isn’t right next to them. 2) any alternative will have environmental issues that we need to be aware of 3) all of the alternatives cause urban sprawl – the only way you can stop it is to lower the speed to 25 MPH and add stop lights. 4) Everybody says its cheaper to widen Chapman Highway – need to have a technical study done to determine displacements, and compare to JWP. 5) Widening Chapman would take out the greenbelt. 6) Widening to seven lanes on Chapman – you would have to look at what that would do to businesses 7) would have to build pedestrian overpasses if Chapman was widened.

Renee discussed with the group how to draft the document, given that there’s not complete agreement. A draft outline was presented for discussion.

Input included

  • Theme needs to be stressed – uniqueness of south Knoxville – How do we preserve it? People don’t want it to be like west Knoxville .
  • Something that seems to be missing is a discussion of the issues
  • Pedestrian / greenway study needed as action item
  • Add a section on process and lessons learned
  • Be specific enough about what we want and don’t want – don’t give TDOT a blank check to do as they wish

Dates were discussed, as well as what happens after the City Council meeting. TPO’s legislative luncheon is on the same day as the City Council meeting, may present an update but not final report at TPO luncheon. Timeline will be discussed by smaller committee working to draft document. Rich asked can we come up with one recommendation, given we don’t have the costs? Co-Chairs explained we will present what we have so far, with a section on unfinished business or issues. The commitments required of those volunteering were reviewed, including weekly meetings for four weeks. Co-Chairs, subcommittee Chairs and Vice Chairs were suggested as members, if they are willing to commit and able to attend the meetings. (Subcommittee leadership has been provided by John Finger , Whitney Stanley , Don McLean, Jim Hagerman , Ron Emery and Barry Neal ) Alternates can be suggested to Co-Chairs in the event that some of these individuals are not able to serve. The committee is charged with producing a document that is representative of the groups’ wishes and community input. Staff will provide a rough draft as a starting point at the first meeting.

Task Force members will have opportunities to review the draft and suggest changes throughout the process, and the committee will be held accountable for deciding which of the suggested changes to make to the language of the report, and accurately reporting majority and minority viewpoints.

In addition to the draft committee’s tentative schedule, the next task force meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 8. The agenda at this meeting will be devoted to topics of concern based on public input. Specialists will be brought in to discuss environmental issues and ways to preserve South Knoxville ’s unique character, including open space preservation, greenways, and other opportunities to plan for.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 PM

Meeting summary by Renee Davis