KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The growth of Knox County is the focus of a plan meant to shape the area for years to come.
Knox County is expected to have a population of 557,000 people by 2045. That's compared to nearly 495,000 people estimated by the U.S. Census in July of last year.
County leaders are coming up with a plan to meet the needs of the growing community. It's called Advance Knox.
"It's been two years of going through a lot of different meetings with the constituents and kind of talking about how Knox County can grow in a smart and fiscally responsible way," said Jim Snowden, the senior director of Knox County Engineering & Public Works. "One of the things we hear and, well, things the mayor wanted to avoid was, you know, irresponsible growth. We want to have responsible, smart growth. And that's hopefully the outcome of this plan."
Snowden says the plan has to go through a vote by the policy committee, and then all the legislative bodies of the county including the Knox County Commission, Knoxville City Council, and Farragut Mayor and Aldermen need to vote on it. He says if everything gets approved in a timely manner, this plan could be adopted in April 2024, or May of 2024 at the latest.
The plan focuses on the growth of unincorporated areas outside of Knoxville and Farragut, including the more rural Gibbs community.
Penny Harrell lives in Gibbs and she says while she knows more housing is needed, she wants to save the farmland.
"We've got to protect our farms because once they're gone, you can't get them back," said Harrell.
She says developing in the area will change it forever.
"If you drive by those areas, it's just so peaceful, you know? It's like, you can see the cows, and you can see the horses," said Harrell. "And once you stick a subdivision in the middle of these farms, then it loses that view. Like, I think there's gonna be a subdivision being built to where most of those people right now can see the House Mountain. And once you start building in those areas, and those views are not going to be the same, and people have chosen to live out this way for a reason. And I know I've lived in this area all my life, and, you know. If I chose to live in the city, I would have already moved."
Harrell said she attended a public input meeting on Monday, and people there made some compelling arguments about the growth plan.
"There was over 25 speakers that actually stood up and gave the reason why that shouldn't happen," said Harrell. "And it was a mixture of farmers, business owners, and it opened up a lot of questions. So I do believe that meeting was beneficial. Because there's still questions, you know. It's not concrete as to what the total plan will be."
Snowden says at the input meeting, he heard opinions from all angles. He says he understands the concerns, but there is potential for development in the area.
"We do feel like due to the proximity of the interstate system, and the availability of schools and water and sewer — that over the next 15 years, there may need to be growth there," said Snowden. "But I would like to encourage people to understand that this is a 20-year plan, this isn't going to be approved, then they're going to immediately see large growth. I think the growth will occur in other areas where really the trends and the infrastructure are already dire. And those are just areas that over the next 20 years, we anticipate it to grow. And then by the by the time that growth gets there, our infrastructure will be there to support."
Snowden says the goal is to use this public input to develop a plan that benefits everyone.
"I think that is one of the things we want to do, is to have those essential services close to people regardless of where you live," said Snowden. "But do it so that it doesn't harm the surrounding neighborhood. And we think our plan that we've presented, obviously it's not perfect, of course, no plan ever is. But we think it does address a lot of the concerns that we heard from both the proponents and the opponents. So we appreciate everybody's interest and, you know, encourage them to come out. And, you know, this is their community and have a say in their plan over the next 20 years."
The next public input meeting will be on Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. in the City County building. The address is 400 Main Street Knoxville, TN 37902.
Snowden says there might be a vote taken by the policy committee at this meeting.