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Board tables decision on 300-unit multifamily project on South Odell Road after sewer and traffic questions
Summary
The Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals tabled a vote on a proposed 300‑unit multifamily planned development at South Odell Road and Lamar Alexander Parkway after questions about sewer service, required lift stations and traffic impacts; staff had recommended approval subject to permits and findings under section 11.5.
The Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals on a June evening heard a proposal for a 300‑unit, 27.39‑acre high‑density multifamily planned unit development at South Odell Road and Lamar Alexander Parkway and tabled a final decision to the board’s July 2 meeting after members raised questions about sewer service and traffic.
Thomas Lamoyed of Blount County Development Services presented the staff report and recommended approval, saying the proposal complies with zoning provisions for high‑density multifamily and is subject to external permitting. "Staff does recommend approval," Lamoyed told the board, while noting that TDOT and TDEC approvals and coordination with utility providers would be required before construction.
Pamela Thompson, representing developer Hill Point, described the project as workforce housing for the "missing middle," outlined planned amenities and on‑site management, and said the developer plans a long‑term ownership model. "We are investing $58,000,000 into this project," Thompson said. She also confirmed will‑serve letters from utility providers.
Board members pressed the applicant on sewer service. The applicant said the development will require a lift station installed at the applicant's expense in order to reach a gravity‑flow connection to the Maryville system; the applicant stated the lift station and ongoing maintenance would be the developer's responsibility. Thomas Lamoyed reiterated that any work within the county right of way and final designs would require county and TDOT permitting.
Several residents spoke during public comment, asking how many units would be considered affordable. Julie Karabia asked what the developer means by "affordable" in local terms; the applicant's representative replied that the project is intended to be priced roughly "10% less than anything else in the market" and stated a projected figure in the record as "$16.75" per month as presented by the speaker. The record does not clarify whether that figure was misstated or intended to be a different unit of currency/time; the transcript records the number as spoken.
A motion to approve the special exception was made but the chair explained that because only three of the five board members were present, any grant of a special exception required a unanimous vote. "Since there's only 3 of us here tonight, we have to be unanimous," the chair said, and the motion to approve was not unanimous and therefore did not pass. A subsequent motion to deny also failed. The board then voted to table the item to the July 2 meeting so additional members could be present and outstanding questions could be resolved.
The board recorded that any approval would still be subject to all county, TDOT and TDEC permitting and the required findings under section 11.5 of the county zoning rules. The application will return to the board on July 2 for further consideration.
