Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs promises to “find a solution” in the wake of a vote Thursday night in Farragut against changing the county’s Growth Policy Plan.
Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Alderman voted against changing the plan, which hasn’t been updated since it was created in 2001. It’s a state law requirement that Farragut be involved in the vote, even though the plan would not involve the town. While the board did not pass the plan, it did see support from Farragut Mayor Ron Williams.
Mayor Jacobs released a statement Friday addressing the matter:
“First, I want to thank Farragut Mayor Williams and Farragut Vice-Mayor Povlin for their support of this crucial and vitally important growth plan. I’d also like to thank the Advance Knox team, who worked long hours during the past two years in collaborative effort with many stakeholders, to develop a proposal that addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our county.
I am greatly disappointed with the outcome of last night’s vote by the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Sometimes, when you are in a position of leadership, you must make tough, uncomfortable, decisions because it is the right thing to do.
Farragut was at the table throughout the discussions of this critical plan, and we incorporated the changes that they requested. Ultimately, the growth plan would change nothing for Farragut.
On the other hand, Knox County is in the midst of a major housing crisis, and also are trying to mitigate urban sprawl.
Last night’s decision by only three Farragut aldermen hurts our entire county. Housing prices will continue to skyrocket – a negative for the almost 500,000 people who call Knox County home.
Further, this decision will increase our homelessness problem.
In the end, we are talking about higher taxes and a lower quality of life.
This growth plan addresses all of these issues. And again, it would not change Farragut – something the Farragut leaders requested.
At this point, we will look at all possible options, and how to move forward.
Above all else, we cannot continue the path we have walked for the past two decades.
I promise we will find a solution.” – Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs
The Knoxville Realtor Association also provided a statement, as below:
“Tonight was a sad night for Knox County. The Town of Farragut’s Board of Mayor and Alderman has failed each and every resident of Knox County by choosing to reject a reasonable compromise in favor of maintaining an unsustainable and undesirable “no plan” approach to development that will perpetuate the status quo. Ultimately, those who will suffer the most as a result of tonight’s vote are essential workers — police officers, teachers, and nurses — who will no longer be able to afford to live in the county they serve.” – Knoxville Realtor Association
The development would’ve helped pave the way for an estimated 70,000 people who experts say are expected to move into Knox County over the next 20 years. With the vote failed, the plan will be put on pause or thrown out altogether.
