[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6594610,"mediaKeyId","3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c","parentId",3175640,"title","Groves Park residents press Oak Ridge for answers on unaccepted streets, $225,000 bond and long‑delayed topcoat","audioSeconds",1030,"startMs",9117000,"endMs",10147000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c&start=9117&end=10147","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c/thumbnail_9117000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594610/Tennessee/Groves-Park-residents-press-Oak-Ridge-for-answers-on-unaccepted-streets-225000-bond-and-longdelayed-topcoat","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594610-faef446dc550c8bcfefb4492fd12ab22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563987&Signature=VyIqaaUnzuf6dn0ItIVVNDGxWYwNKr7Pw0O1gEX6nZKv5bPwUu-3sLls9xr4Y8PkBULPf~2S9kqJtE39XZIgCfzuxFDI~3mKTpB~AqUL18nLclBJ-Q8FMrpu56eAlP2F7JjIglgstAbIxYcr-C-y7gae-LraL86-l37I9015qwBZ6K4f909WlYrxw8mi70kev0-HQUXEx6whBi3grr~2kg6HJoVdEncgKGELswGRu6LKKnLggX10mzIljj027BFHkGpgooUd5vyX3DwSKb7p2TxidPDongdmGh6y0cBLyE8BZuVsTD5nP7EXprP0K26AYaICJK~UBgZiuLSQx8JmAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oak Ridge, TN","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple residents of Groves Park Commons urged Oak Ridge City Council to resolve a long‑running problem of unfinished roads in their subdivision, saying a developer bankruptcy and apparent lapses in bonding have left streets and alleyways in poor condition.

David Romba, a Groves Park resident, told Council that the 2010 plat for the subdivision included an improvement bond of $225,000 that was never called. He asked why the bond was allowed to lapse and who currently owns and maintains the neighborhood streets. “Why was the bond allowed to expire? Where did the bonds go?” Romba asked, noting the recorded plat required completed improvements within one year of approval.

Delisa Simpson Schubert, another resident, said she repeatedly researched public records and found no clear documentation of the bond’s disposition. She said the streets are deteriorated and that top‑coat pavement work that should have been completed after initial construction was never finished. “Groves Park needs their final topcoat,” she said.

Other residents described alleyways that have no topcoat and in some places are essentially dirt tracks. Michael Martin said the neighborhood’s homeowners pay property taxes but have received little infrastructure maintenance. “We paid $774,000 in property taxes over six years; we can’t get our roads paved,” he said.

Katie Grama, a resident who reviewed recorded plats, said there is at least one recorded notation that the city has perpetual maintenance responsibility for the asphalt within the 12‑foot‑wide alleyways in the development. She emphasized the alleyways are among the worst damaged and that vehicles have been damaged on exposed drainage structures.

City staff and council members outlined the procedural constraints. The city has determined the subdivision streets have not been accepted for public maintenance; acceptance requires submittal to Planning Commission and then a formal council ordinance. The city attorney and city manager said the city cannot expend public funds to repair private streets until they are accepted for maintenance. Staff also noted that one procedural path for acceptance is available but must follow established public‑works and legal steps.

Council directed staff to pursue three actions: (1) research and report back on ownership records and the history of the 2010 bond and any renewals or extensions; (2) assemble inspection records and any planning‑commission inspection notes to determine the construction status and whether required inspections were completed; and (3) produce a cost estimate to repair the roads (including substructure work and topcoat) so Council will have a fiscal figure if it later decides a remedy is warranted.

Council members said the neighborhood’s persistent condition and the lack of clear public records warrant immediate staff follow‑up. Several members described the issue as a moral as well as procedural concern because homeowners pay taxes while living with substandard streets. Staff said they would return with ownership clarification and an estimate of repair costs; council encouraged a speedy timetable for the research and cost evaluation.

The residents asked that the city prioritize the matter. Council did not direct immediate public spending to fix the roads at the meeting; rather, it asked staff to obtain records and price the repairs and to return with options for council consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oak Ridge City Council Meeting\tApril 14, 2025 - 7:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Residents from Groves Park Commons told City Council the subdivision’s streets have lacked a final topcoat for more than a decade and seek clarity on ownership, an apparently lapsed $225,000 bond and who is responsible for repairs. Council asked staff to research records and provide a cost estimate for repairs.","taxTitle","Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee","taxId",62219,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594615,"Oak Ridge council approves first‑reading rezoning and a package of ordinances, resolutions and contracts",3206,2134000,5340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c&start=2134&end=5340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c/thumbnail_2134000.jpg","/articles/6594615/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-council-approves-firstreading-rezoning-and-a-package-of-ordinances-resolutions-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594615-f06b6606ba88f0fb56c2076930876326/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563988&Signature=o0M0LIWEBJ4bE2fK4Vwc6RYBxo6h0bZz9H6y9veQJhhe0JJ~fJcy-EZE34BEsnSxHL-SPjFN5dz1t8lx73QQyQyG8F8RuYbOjsQP1WkNStGna-0byyTmEg-YvEGBVWb9XvUzzcVAcsDwAPxIsLFevFDGMRIZscdYwyCQJN5Vo-6gd7kVQGvgzMebxn~jAp6K9gvry9EIf-a7WotpfcERfZCBsZVS0FLM4Ph4XF94YALtMNplmS4bMPvn5y9-kJwVroKO3OJU8I9N6G0I6zBRK63SdgY-ZQ8uZrolDS5SXnVjUahbGmiTNcKi6WGA6giI0s0mbV6Au9OQYwlyB-AdJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Ridge City Council voted on a set of ordinances, resolutions and contract actions at its April meeting. The meeting produced a mix of routine municipal business, emergency contracts and a first reading of a major rezoning.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Rezoning (first reading): Council approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone the 375‑acre parcel at 350 Powerhouse Road from FIR to IND‑1 with a 600‑foot RG‑1 buffer (Planning Commission recommendation). The item will return for the required second reading and public hearing.

- City attorney evaluation and contract: Council approved the evaluation committee’s recommendation for an increase to the city attorney’s base salary (a 4.88% raise to a base salary reported in the packet as $188,801.60), a three‑year contract extension through January 2033, a $1,500 bonus and reimbursement of specified personal phone/internet expenses (city owed $6,930). The committee also recommended a $260 per month stipend payable in installments per the packet.

- Consent agenda: The consent agenda passed without objection.

- Abandonment and right‑of‑way items: First reading was held and passed on the ordinance to abandon a portion of Badger Avenue conditioned on certain requirements; a substitute ordinance to abandon a portion of Boulevard for industrial park marketing was approved on second reading after Planning Commission recommendation was added to the substitute language.

- Zoning and sign code changes (final adoption): Council approved amendments to sign regulations (eliminating certain wall‑sign height restrictions and allowing internal direct illumination outside residential districts) following a public hearing.

- Other ordinances adopted (second reading): Ordinances including changes to animal registration fee authority and three separate infrastructure acceptance ordinances for sections of The Preserve at Clinch River (accepting streets/infrastructure for perpetual maintenance) were approved on second reading.

- Personnel policy: Council amended the city personnel plan to clarify which employees are required to reside in city limits (ordinance amendment approved).

- Naming resolution: Council approved a resolution to name the Grand Ballroom at the Oak Ridge Conference Center after Edwina Crow; family and community members spoke in support.

- Emergency/contract actions: Council authorized a contract with Bradston Inc. (Knoxville) for repair of a failed sewer force main along the Bethel Valley Road ramp in an amount not to exceed $195,000 and approved a contract increase for FM Sylvan Inc. (HVAC services) by $100,000 to raise the not‑to‑exceed amount to $150,000 to cover unplanned catastrophic repairs, including a chiller replacement at the Civic Center.

- Pelissippi Blueway MOU: Council authorized a memorandum of understanding to plan and promote a Clinch River water trail (Pelissippi Blueway). The MOU passed 6–0–1; Council member Smith abstained due to substantial personal involvement with the project.

- Student appointment: The council elected Jolly Givens as the student representative to the Traffic Safety Advisory Board; the appointment runs through June 30, 2026.

Most routine items passed unanimously or without recorded opposition. Several items — notably the rezoning and right‑of‑way abandonments — will return to Council for required additional readings or follow‑up work by staff. The packet and minutes provide full motions, substance and the planning commission materials that were referenced during debate.","At its April meeting the council approved a first reading on a major rezoning, a range of routine ordinances and resolutions including infrastructure acceptances, a naming resolution, emergency repairs and contract increases. Several items passed unanimously; the Pelissippi Blueway MOU passed 6–0–1 with one abstention.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6594620,"Oak Ridge council approves first reading to rezone former federal site at 350 Powerhouse Road after extended debate",4806,2344000,7150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c&start=2344&end=7150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175640-ed450e991bd0c88ea756ca226163368c/thumbnail_2344000.jpg","/articles/6594620/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-council-approves-first-reading-to-rezone-former-federal-site-at-350-Powerhouse-Road-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594620-f95e631f5c82ac90ed144560fb713fd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563988&Signature=f6rdLWB7AhLEj-shwWv4UywkQFZH2vqftW7T1FpnYDQJM2YX-zxdVc-1Vn272SjuFgVCJc1XBqse9qX97e2d-rAhAYmYHLI-fCKiNPGKF9Mym18XcbdoBL5hTmcpiYNCV0FnfrGw4TxuAIFgxKwgTIORT98h28sFigWitVHY8aiSvgHYUqc39-8QimLz2QXnbQHlRT~255LlVu~BXjsgWvpNiNpkyY26R1alPKm7NRTVb39u~nupMjOY2g0l5UfvnEC7Dkiy5~LoypxsJf4MBKqAouJxhhNc8s1jd5yfMbkKfWHJz6-NK-w0Kb~KWSdSRh0iaKrkQW3s~IxQXYqhYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Ridge City Council approved on first reading an ordinance to rezone about 375 acres at 350 Powerhouse Road — a parcel that recently left federal ownership — from FIR (Federal Industry and Research) to an IND‑1 industrial designation, with a 600‑foot RG‑1 residential/open‑space buffer along the Clinch River and additional RG‑1 designation on a southeastern portion of the site.

The vote on first reading followed nearly two hours of council questions and public comments about deed restrictions, wetland and floodplain protections, and the current use of the property by Carbon Rivers for storage and processing of decommissioned wind turbine blades.

The change matters because it will replace a federal zoning label that applied while the property was federally owned and set the city’s regulatory framework for future private uses. Staff and the Planning Commission offered different maps: the owner sought bands of IND‑1 and IND‑2, while the Planning Commission recommended the council’s adopted map of IND‑1 for most of the site with a broad RG‑1 buffer and RG‑1 on the southeast quadrant. Council voted to adopt the Planning Commission recommendation for first reading.

Ms. Williams, a city planning staff member who reviewed the applications for Council, outlined three maps in the packet: the applicant’s request (a 200‑foot IND‑1 band along the river, IND‑2 elsewhere for roughly 275 acres), the Planning Commission recommendation (600‑foot RG‑1 buffer and IND‑1 for the remainder) and staff’s more general recommendation that industrial zoning was appropriate but that a less intensive buffer should be used adjacent to the large residential subdivision across the river.

Sarah Johnson, an attorney representing Powerhouse Land LLC and Carbon Rivers Inc., told Council the barge terminal on the parcel is actively used and emphasized limits the property’s suitability for housing, citing DOE deed restrictions and an existing 10‑foot dig restriction. “The barge that is located there is in use,” Johnson said, and she urged Council to consider the deed restrictions when choosing a zone.

Several council members pressed staff about precise boundaries, buffer widths and what portions of the site include wetlands, a barge terminal and a parcel still owned by the Department of Energy. Council member Dodson asked for the width of the applicant’s proposed bands; Williams said the applicant’s band at the riverbank was 200 feet and that the Planning Commission’s recommended RG‑1 buffer was 600 feet. Council members also asked staff to explain IND‑1 and IND‑2 zoning differences, and Williams read the ordinance definitions into the record: IND‑1 is described in the code as a light industrial district intended for light manufacturing, warehousing and distribution with controlled external effects; IND‑2 allows heavier industrial uses and “moderate external effects.”

Residents and environmental advocates urged the council to protect wetlands and the Clinch River. Kelly Thompson, a nearby resident, said she attended multiple Planning Commission meetings and joint sessions with state regulators and asked Council to preserve the wetland and wildlife areas. “My biggest concern is protecting the wetlands, the wildlife and the Clinch River,” Thompson said.

Council members debated whether a buffer labeled RG‑1 — a residential/open‑space designation that allows conservation and recreation uses but can include the word “residential” in its name — was the best available tool given limits in the city code. Several council members and staff observed the city code lacks a private open‑space or conservation zone that would otherwise fit the owners’ and residents’ concerns. Council member Hazler noted the city’s current zoning ordinance is limited in protecting waterfront areas and said RG‑1 was the best available option for a protective band under the current code.

City staff also told Council that if the property is zoned industrial, certain uses such as a solid‑waste transfer or recycling center would require Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approval and that state law and the ordinance allow the BZA to set conditions — for example, vegetative buffers or fencing — when granting special exceptions. Williams noted the ordinance requires an 8‑foot fence for the specified solid‑waste uses and that the BZA may add conditions related to public health and safety.

Council members raised the nearby 38‑acre ash disposal area still owned by DOE and asked whether the city should pre‑zone that parcel in the comprehensive plan so a future transfer would not leave a regulatory gap. Staff said policy language could be included in the forthcoming comprehensive‑plan update but that the city cannot zone federally owned land until it is transferred.

After the public comment period and final discussion the motion before Council was to adopt the Planning Commission’s recommendation on first reading: rezone the parcel to IND‑1 with RG‑1 buffer (600 feet) including the Planning Commission’s yellow‑outlined areas on the southeast portion of the map. Council voted to place the ordinance on first reading and to return for a required second reading.

Council members and staff said the second reading will provide an opportunity to revisit details after additional study and that future site‑specific uses could be subject to BZA review and conditions. The Planning Commission’s map and staff’s packet materials remain part of the public record for the second reading, when the public hearing required by state law will be held again.

The council vote on first reading does not itself authorize development; it sets the city’s zoning designation and triggers the next formal steps in the land‑use and permitting processes.","City Council voted to approve on first reading a rezoning that would convert 375 acres at 350 Powerhouse Road from a federal industry designation to industrial with a large RG‑1 buffer after hours of questions from council, staff and public commenters about wetlands, deed restrictions and future uses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Groves Park residents press Oak Ridge for answers on unaccepted streets, $225,000 bond and long‑delayed topcoat

Oak Ridge council approves first‑reading rezoning and a package of ordinances, resolutions and contracts

Oak Ridge council approves first reading to rezone former federal site at 350 Powerhouse Road after extended debate