Go west young Town

Tammy Cheek farragutpress.com

The west end of Farragut has become popular with developers this year, with businesses setting their sights on building in the area near Dixie Lee Junction.

Farragut Municipal Planning Commission approved a site plan for Dollar General Store and Advance Auto Parts during FMPC’s meeting Thursday, Nov. 16, with stipulations the developer must address the Town staff’s 17 comments.

The two stores will be built on 3.5 acres by JMB Investment Company along the south side of Kingston Pike, just to the northeast of Cool Sports Home of the Icearium, according to Town Community Development director Mark Shipley.

He said the Dollar General Store building will be 10,767 square feet, and Advance Auto will be 6,889 square feet.

“The applicant has revised the access request and is showing the full access lining up with the Fast Pace Urgent Care access on the north side of Kingston Pike,” Shipley said. “To further facilitate access, the site plan now also includes a right-in, right-out access near the western boundary of the development.”

However, he said that access is within 400 feet of the full access, roughly 317 feet, and an existing driveway, which is roughly 209 feet apart. FMPC approved a variance for that access.

Another business eyeing the west end of Town is Dogtopia Dog Day Care at 12925 Kingston Pike, which received approval on its site plan contingent upon addressing Town staff’s 10 issues.

Shipley said the building would be located on 1.1 acres, a small, triangular-shaped tract roughly 185 feet from the eastern edge of the right-in, right-out access to the soon-to be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple.

While approving the site plan, contingent upon the Town staff’s comments, FMPC also approved a variance for the access, as it is less than the required footage from the Temple access.

Because of the size of the lot, Shipley said the developers are limited on expanding the 7,000-square-foot building in the future.

Still, “I think they have done a pretty good job of using an odd lot,” Planning Commissioner Jon Greene said.

Another business looking to move into the area is PALS Knoxville, which intends to renovate and add a 900-square-foot expansion to the former Jones Automotive at 314 N. Watt Road, as well as improve the parking area with islands and landscaping.

Currently a concrete block building, civil engineer Tyler Rutherford with S&ME proposed using “thin brick,” which is a masonry product looking like traditional brick on the front and north side of the building; painting other less visible parts; and using hardy board on the back.

“I think it’s a great way to take an older building … it will be a bigger improvement,” Planning Commissioner Noah Myers said.

When Greene asked about the current “glaring light” on the front of the building. Rutherford said plans are to remove that light and use “gooseneck lighting,” to prevent glare.