Storage facility causes stir and other projects discussed at POA Town Hall

Adam Delahoussaye news-herald.net

The Tellico Village Property Owners Association (POA) fielded a litany of questions and concerns regarding a potential new development coming to the neighborhood at its Town Hall meeting held earlier this month.

MORE STORAGE?

Beginning in April, buzz began to grow around the potential new building of a storage unit in development around the Tanasi Hills neighborhood. While residents say they’re not opposed to a storage facility altogether, the location of the proposal poses concerns about the direction the area is headed.

The property, a lot on Maple Hill Road that was deemed fit for commercial use back in 1998, has sat vacant for decades now. In recent weeks, however, the owner — Pregati LLC — made a move to begin the early stages of development and planning for the new facility.

Beth Kuberka, the chief development officer for the POA, stressed that the project is far from approval.

“The owner is still in the exploratory phase,” Kuberka said. “The design may change, and they may even ask to come back before ACC (the Architectural Control Office) for another prelim to make sure they’re on target.”

A traffic study would also need to be conducted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation before any groundwork would be laid on the development, according to Kuberka. The study will most likely include the impact coming in and out of Maple Hill Road, though will not extend into State Route 444.

The study could be extensive and the owners would have to return to ACC to receive an official permit — reviewed by both the Control Office and the community — for the facility altogether.

RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS

Residents listed a number of concerns regarding the development and its potential location. Many iterated some version of the opinion that it would be an aesthetic sidestep when placed next to a lot of the Village’s premier community gathering centers.

“We have a rural community with environmental health, visual appeal and overall quality of life that are at stake,” one resident remarked.

Some of the suggestions for alternative uses of the plat of land were recreation- based facilities like an indoor swimming pool, tennis or pickleball court, fitness center, community event center or a senior living community.

Currently, Loudon County reportedly has around 40 active storage units. Comparatively, Monroe County has 13 within its county lines and Blount County has 50.

While many residents deemed the proposition as undesirable, Kuberka continued to state that its development was nowhere near being finalized as of yet.

“This is just a beginning, cursory idea,” Kuberka said. “That’s where it is … it’s really just an idea right now.”

TANASI AND TAP UPDATES

Scott Macrae also gave a brief presentation on the developments of the Tanasi Golf Club rebuild, which is still currently slated for an opening date sometime in early 2026.

Macrae said they are about two to three weeks behind schedule due to complications. While construction is heavy in the area, Macrae said that improvements are still on the horizon.

“I’d like to say it’s going to get better soon,” Macrae said. “But then I’d be lying to you and you wouldn’t believe anything else I tell you.”

The one big change to Tanasi, Macrae said, was that the traffic pattern at the entranceway has been completely flipped. With the new parking lot now open, the old one is being handed over to the construction company for maintenance.

Residents will now enter the course from the left, rather than the right.

The cart path concrete behind the ninthhole green, leading to the boat dock, is also currently under heavy construction.

The water and sewer developments also received notice from Macrae — who went over the three major projects currently underway within the TAP program.

The permit for the Main Pump Stations (MPS) has now been approved by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Previously, the station received board approval to have most of its old materials replaced with newer models.

A pre-bid meeting was held on May 13, with bids for the project opening on May 29. Macrae said he expects to have several qualified candidates in the pool.

Construction is currently slated for July of 2025 to September of 2026.

Other projects included the Elevated Water Tank, which is currently on hold after a review from the developer presented a number of concerns — none of which were overtly specified by Macrae.

He stated that he and the board are currently pursuing alternative options including continuing with the elevated tank, a ground-level tank or no tank in that area at all. Macrae did state that the Kahite Pump Station is still under development.

The POA’s next Town Hall meeting is scheduled to be held Thursday, June 12, at 3 p.m. at the Community Church in Tellico Village.