Farragut planners approve Bridgemore revisions, set conditions over sinkhole and road connectivity

The Farragut Municipal Planning Commission on May 21 approved amendments to the Bridgemore subdivision concept plan and cleared a preliminary plat for phases 3B and 4, but attached a package of conditions intended to protect sinkhole areas, ensure stormwater compliance and guarantee eventual public‑street connectivity to Alan Kirby Road.

The commission voted to amend the northwest portion of the 2004 Bridgemore plan, a revision staff said would reduce the development's total lots from 374 to 346 and create about five additional acres of open space. Mark Shipley, town planning staff, told commissioners the proposed layout shifts some areas from a gridded pattern to more traditional lots to better match existing topography and to avoid extensive retaining walls and grading.

Shipley said the preliminary plat for phases 3B and 4 covers roughly 102 lots and raised three central concerns: disturbance within sinkhole lip elevations, stormwater discharge already authorized by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and the lack of a completed public‑street connection to Alan Kirby Road that the original concept plan anticipated. "There's a big depression in here," Shipley said of the far northwest area, and staff cited section 107‑68 of the town's sinkhole ordinance as the standard the developer must meet.

Developer representatives said they have addressed prior geotechnical issues and removed fill from several sinkholes during the review. Carter McCall, representing the owner, said the owner prefers posting a letter of credit to assure the Phase‑5 public street and related improvements will be completed later rather than designing and building the connection immediately. "The owner would prefer the letter of credit option regarding the public road connection and improvements," McCall said.

Commissioners and staff emphasized public‑safety and fire‑access considerations. Shipley noted the fire marshal had relied on the concept plan's ultimate road connection in determining where sprinklers would be required; without that connection, additional lots might require sprinklering. As a compromise, staff recommended either designing and building the Phase‑5 public street now or posting a letter of credit sized by the town engineer and tied to a timeline (staff recommended three years after grading permits are issued for phases 3B and 4).

Other subject‑to conditions approved with the preliminary plat included updated documentation showing compliance with the sinkhole ordinance, drainage‑permit and erosion‑control measures, confirmation of building envelopes outside the 50‑foot setback, and acceptance of a 20‑foot temporary fire‑apparatus road (to be used for construction access and later converted to a walking trail).

McCall reiterated that the owner is willing to make modifications required to meet fire code standards and to work with town engineers on timing and construction. Thomas Krajewski, who said he works with the applicant, confirmed site work for earlier phases is complete and described the current filing as a revision of the final plat for the next phases.

The commission approved the concept‑plan amendment, the cul‑de‑sac variance related to Road G, and the preliminary plat with the nine subject‑to conditions unanimously. Staff said the letter‑of‑credit language and any timeline would be reviewed by the town attorney and engineered cost estimates would be prepared before final plat actions.

The commission's action preserves the planning goal of increasing open space while imposing specific checks — technical sinkhole documentation, TDEC‑permitted stormwater controls and a binding financial assurance or on‑the‑ground construction timetable — meant to protect downstream safety and access as the subdivision extends away from its current McPhee Road access point.