A spokesman for the school told board members they plan to build for an enrollment of 400-500 students and hoped to be underway with construction within a year or so.

One adjoining property owner was in attendance to voice concerns about the impact the additional traffic could have on the area. The school rep said they were also concerned with traffic and were in contact with TDOT to address those issues.

The special exception is just the first step in what will be a process to gain all the necessary approvals before the school could begin construction.

The BZA tabled a request for thirty days from Five Star to construct a 3-4 story independent, senior living facility in Tellico Village. Board members raised concerns of fire safety for a building of that height. Current Loudon County regulations prohibit any structure of any buildings of more than three stories. The board asked the representatives of Five Star to investigate options with local fire departments that could respond and manage a fire in a building of more than four stories.

The proposed facility would have 107 living units in the 114,000 sq. ft. facility with a dining room for residents only.

Reps for Five Star told the board they would return next month with more information pertaining to the fire safety question.

The hottest issue of the night for the board was a request from Ms. Joan Weser to construct a cat rescue facility on Ward Road. Ms. Weser told board members that she traps feral cats through out the county and has them spade and neutered then releases them back where she trapped them.

A number of neighbors and property owners in the area were in attendance to oppose the cat rescue facility.

The board denied the request.

Below is a previous story prior the the board meeting.
 

Family concerned neighboring property could become animal rescue

The Wiles family lives off Ward Road, they moved out to the country ten years ago to enjoy the peaceful scenery. When you're at their house, you can see the trees and an open field.

That field is under contract to be sold to a rescue that works with a humane society, mainly with cats and dogs who have just given birth or been spayed and neutered.

"I'm about 35 feet away from the border here and we're not too happy about it," said Lori Wiles.

The applicant wrote a letter to the county planning commission asking for a special exception to build a structure to "care for animals (mainly cats and dogs). I anticipate a structure such as a metal pole barn. A home would be a secondary consideration for the property at this time."

The county meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to decide if the plan to have the rescue alongside homes fits in their zoning requirements.

If the planning commission can agree on a decision, a draft for the building must then be submitted for the county to approve to structure.