Oak Ridge hears complaints about Pine Ridge development

By Bob Fowler, Anderson County editor

October 14, 2001

A history of the development of the controversial Pine Ridge project will be prepared by Oak Ridge city staff, Oak Ridge City Council members decided.

After hearing a wide range of comments from residents about the high-profile project, council voted 4-3 on an amended motion that called only for listing the Pine Ridge history.

City Manager Paul Boyer said the narrative was to have been prepared by week's end.

Pine Ridge, a 100-acre tract at the Illinois Avenue entrance to Oak Ridge from Knoxville, has been clear-cut by developer Nat Revis. The two ridge tops there are being lopped off, and plans call for the narrow valley between them to be filled in.

Revis wants to create a 50-acre development for offices and warehouses on the flattened ridge tops, but his plans have stirred a widespread outcry from residents who say the project has produced only a highly visible eyesore.

Council members were at first asked to consider Councilman Leonard Abbatiello's motion that city staff compile a history of the project, list possible options the city has regarding Pine Ridge and recommend steps to take about Pine Ridge and "future projects like it."

But the seven-member panel accepted an amendment from Mayor David Bradshaw that called for only a compilation of the project's history.

Also supporting the amendment were Vice Mayor Tom Beehan and council members Ray Evans and Willie Golden.

Joining Abbatiello in casting dissenting votes were Jerry Kuhaida and David Mosby.

Council's action at the Oct. 8 meeting came on the heels of a petition presentation by Bill Schramm, an environmental consultant who, with his wife, Stella Schramm, has spearheaded a Pine Ridge petition drive.

Schramm submitted petitions bearing the names of 1,130 signers and said he would present an additional 242 names to add to the list.

That petition calls for the city to either buy the property back from Revis or seize the property under the city's power of eminent domain.

The petition says the land should be converted into a city park, the city should work with Revis to find a more suitable project site, and the city should stop using its Industrial Development Board to skirt public review when the city is conveying land to developers.

Schramm said there is now no approved site plan for the project and that plans have "changed dramatically and repeatedly." He said the plan finally submitted late last month was rejected by city staff.

Audience opinions varied widely during the comment period. Ellen Smith, chairwoman of the city's Environmental Quality Advisory Board, said the current Pine Ridge site plan "would create a permanent eyesore."

"I think these 1,300 environmental wackos and fellow travelers should go find their own tree on their own property and hug it and get out of the way of progress," said Harry Wills.

"This patient can be saved," Liane Russell said. "It's not too late for Council to reclaim Pine Ridge."

Angi Agle said the development will likely resemble the nearby Commerce Park when completed.

In debate on the motion, Evans said if the city tried to condemn the land and take it back, it would take "several million (dollars) and a year or two in lawsuits to get the property back."

"If we've sold the land to an individual, what rights do we have to tell him what to do with it?" asked Golden.

"There aren't future uses that we can pick for that property," Bradshaw said.

Beehan agreed, saying "I'm not sure we're in a position to make recommendations for future Pine Ridge uses."

Bob Fowler may be reached at 865-481-3625 or bfowler@knoxnews.infi.net.

October 14, 2001

Copyright 2001, KnoxNews. All Rights Reserved.