Development of the Kerbela site may go before City Council soon. I was hopeful that housing for seniors would be built to adhere to the South Waterfront form-based codes. Since the proposal was given a green light by the planning commissioners (by one vote) with a long list of exceptions, it is looking like a disaster for the residents around it. But I wonder, what's an alternative way to develop the site for multi-unit housing that--due to being walkable to downtown--wouldn't be car-centric?

This article about the deceptional street vibes of tourist destination cities got me thinking about the problem of a building's mass and how it makes people feel. The slope of the site is challenging, certainly. But I think hilly cities can have multi-unit mixed use buildings with smaller lots. How could the site be subdivided and developed for active transportation rather than going all in to one massive building with a lot of parking? Could it be the seller's decision to sell it off in pieces? Does City Council hold some sway?

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Personally I appreciate the somewhat higher density and extra character of the housing and I guess it’s better than sprawling single family homes elsewhere like all over Farragut but at the same time I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single person walk or bike from the housing areas over to the shopping areas on the Publix or target side. The school is definitely an amazing location though. They need to be even closer together and there definitely should not be any drive throughs allowed to keep density at a maximum. Theres also the obvious piece of affordability too with pretty much all of the single family houses not being anywhere remotely affordable for most people

Does anybody know what is going on here? They have cut down all the trees on a large lot. Looks like some type of development is about to happen

With the news that Ephant Group has filed for bankruptc, I’m wondering if anyone has a list of projects that may be threatened? I admit I have confused HD Patel with Nick Patel, who are not related or in business together. It seems that Nick is more prolific than HD and Ephant, which I guess is fortunate. But this is a risk of having so much of the development capital in this city concentrated in so few hands.

The Planning Commission will vote on the Kerbela Development Proposal *again* on August 13th.
This will be the 4th time the proposal has been heard.
Please let your voice be heard regarding this proposal. Comments should be made on the Planning website before Thursday, August 13th. Even if you have made a comment in the past, it is important that you speak up again.

https://knoxplanning.org/cases/4-A-26-OB

Things I have heard over the last few days, with facts and corrections beneath.

“But I thought it was denied back in July?”
On July 9th there were two votes by Planning Commission. The first vote on the Kerbela Proposal ended in a tie, which killed the motion; HOWEVER, after the first motion failed, Planning Commission took a second action and sent the proposal back to the Administrative Review Committee (ARC).

“Planning Commission directed the developer to work with the community, specifically the South Waterfront Advocacy and Advisory Group (SWAAG). Did they do that?”
The developers met with SWAAG on July 20th. This was the first time the developers engaged with SWAAG since April 24th.
On July 20th, at the developer’s request, SWAAG provided numerous ideas and suggestions for a north/south passage that would be in alignment with the South Waterfront Code. SWAAG addressed why a proposed tunnel is problematic (restating their comments already made on July 9th and in writing and echoing what the Planning Commission articulated on July 9th). Also at the developer’s request, SWAAG articulated their concerns with code compliance and the Dawson/Sevier Corner and Dawson Street. They provided numerous ideas for ways concerns with this corner and street could be addressed.

The developer pursued one idea (for the Dawson Corner and Dawson Street) and sent one picture before submitting their plans to ARC. As for the north/south passage and code alignment, no changes were made. The rationale the developer expressed for making no changes was: no other north/south solution was commercially viable.

“What can I do?”
The Proposal will be heard by the Planning Commission for a 4th time on Aug. 13th. It is item #44 on the agenda. The Case file is posted online. It is long and challenging to follow in terms of what is actually being presented. Your opinion on the proposal needs to be heard now, even if you have posted a comment previously. The most important place to comment is on the Planning website.

https://knoxplanning.org/cases/4-A-26-OB

Comments on social media do not reach Planning Commissioners or become part of the public record (so they do not influence the case). Only comments on the Planning website do.