By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Development was expected following the four-lane expansion of Schaad Road from Oak Ridge Highway to Middlebrook Pike. What some residents there didn’t expect was a new Walmart complex about midway along the route.
At its April 9 meeting, Knoxville-Knox County Planning reviewed an agenda of more than 50 applications for zoning changes for properties across the city and county. One of those requests was from Orange Knoxville LLC for the development of 14 acres for a new Walmart at Schaad and Bakertown Road.
The request involved three motions and was supported by the planning staff with several conditions. The planners heard from attorney Benjamin Mullins, who spoke for the developer. Bill Walker of Truitt Path Lane represented the Lobetti Landing Subdivision and nearby homeowners.
Walker told the meeting that 40 residents in the area had sent messages to the planners. He didn’t oppose the project but made several requests, including a 620-foot fence between the neighborhood and the proposed complex, a low-level tree buffer of evergreens and keeping the current trees along the property line. He also spoke about the expected increase in traffic.
Mullins responded that the developer would build a fence along the higher level. He suggested a six-foot fence to restrict the light pollution from the development, and agreed to a Class A buffer, which would keep the trees and supplement them with new plantings.
The planners approved the zoning change concept plan and the development plan.
