Habitat subdivision plan put on hold

By Iva Butler
of The Daily Times Staff

A plan to erect 40 duplexes for Blount County Habitat for Humanity has hit a snag because of the unusual shape of the property which would allow for only one access point.

The Maryville Planning Commission earlier this week put off acting on a request for a subdivision on Morganton Road behind the new Sterling Engineering building and 600 feet east of William Blount Drive.

Developers want to erect a zero-lot line planned-unit development on the property, with the duplexes served by a 1,700-foot street with a turnaround on the end. The minimum street with a turnaround under the Maryville regulations is 1,000 feet.

The purpose of the development is to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families because lots in the $25,000 range are in short supply in Blount County, according to the developer.

Commissioner Bill Henegar expressed concern that people could be blocked from getting in or out of the subdivision in event of emergency.

“If something happens at the entrance to the subdivision (such as an accident), that road would be closed for three hours,” he said.

Commissioner Tom Hoge said planners attempt to accommodate people but he suggested changes. “This is an extreme issue. My main problem is the length of that road,” he said.

“I do not support that length of straight street. To me it’s a straight-shot drag strip. I love the idea of what you’re trying to do for Habitat. Let’s be proactive to make this work.”

Henegar suggested that developers “go down halfway and put in a roundabout.”

Derek Jones, an engineer with Sterling Engineering, said, “If we go 1,000 feet instead of 1,700, it would leave 40 percent of the land vacant. That would not be financially feasible. It would be good for Habitat and the Community Development Corp. to put as many families as possible in the development.”

Jones said developers tried to purchase adjacent land, but the owners were unwilling to sell.

The odd-shaped property is what was left over after the Sterling building was erected.

A Habitat spokesman, who is familiar with building on less-than-perfect property, said, “We’re happy to be building on flat property for a change.”

Commission Vice Chairman Charlie Blackburn said, “We’ve got a 1,000-foot rule. Try to abide by it.”

The proposal must go before the Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals, even though it is in the Maryville urban growth boundary. Developers would be required to bring the subdivision plan back to Maryville for approval after that.

Planning commissioners also voted to amend the subdivision regulations to more specifically define open space.

The amendment would require that open space, which is required in such projects as zero-lot line developments, must be usable space. That means the space cannot be underneath power lines, at a sinkhole, in the flood way or on a mountainside.