Blount County BZA tables 300-unit South Odell multifamily special-exception after split votes

The Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals on an evening in June tabled consideration of a requested special exception that would allow a 300‑unit, high‑density multifamily development on a roughly 27.39‑acre parcel near South Odell Road and West Lamar Alexander Parkway.

Thomas Lloyd of Blount County Development Services summarized the staff report and told the board that the submitted plans comply with the applicable sections of the zoning resolution but that approvals would remain subject to county and Tennessee Department of Transportation permitting. Lloyd described the project as a plan unit development subject to the special‑exception process and pointed board members to buffering, open‑space and access requirements in Section 11.5 of the zoning code.

Pamela Thompson, representing Hillpoint, said the company builds workforce housing ‘‘for the missing middle’’ and described a three‑story, two‑bedroom, two‑bath product. "We are investing $58 million into this project," Thompson said, and she told the board Hillpoint would build, own and manage the property long term. She said the applicant provided traffic analysis and utility will‑serve letters and agreed to make roadway improvements requested by the county highway department.

Board members and the public pressed the applicant on utilities and sewer capacity. The applicant’s team said they have will‑serve letters but acknowledged the city letter referenced gravity flow; they told the board they would install a developer‑funded lift station to reach a gravity tie‑in if necessary and that maintenance of that lift station would be the developer’s responsibility. "We will be installing a lift station at our expense," Marcus Weedour said during that exchange.

A member of the public asked about affordability. The applicant said it projects a two‑bedroom unit at about $1,675 per month, which the presenter described as roughly 10% below comparable market rents in the area.

Because only three of the five board members were present, the board required unanimity to approve the special exception. An initial motion to approve and a later motion to deny both failed to reach a final decision. The board then voted to table the item to the July meeting (scheduled for July 2) so additional members could participate and the applicant could continue coordination with outside agencies.

Next steps: the applicant may provide additional engineering and utility documentation for the July meeting, and county staff reaffirmed that any approval would be contingent on county and TDOT permitting.