Prior to officially opening April’s Metro Council meeting Gerald Burnett, sitting in for Chair Amy Cashion, reminded the council members and audience of proper meeting etiquette, warning against disparaging or negative remarks, or contentious behavior. Cashion herself had recently given such a reminder.

This month’s meeting saw a lot of discussion regarding the Retreat at Whiskey Creek Development. One issue is structure size and how it is defined. The agreement limits the structure size to 799 square feet. The Planning and Zoning Commission interpreted “structure” to not only include living area, but porches and decks as well. Developer Chip Hayes took the position that only the living space (that area that is heated and cooled) defined “structure”.

Hayes appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and that board determined the square footage is defi ned as area that is heated and cooled. The Tennessee Realtors determines square footage of a home that same way. Regardless, the dwelling footprint, including porches and decks, cannot exceed 20% of the lot size. Planning and Zoning Commission will clarify language in the disputed ordinance and bring it back to Metro Council for approval.

Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Chair Dexter Golden advised the council that Hayes appeared at Aprils P&Z meeting to request starting on Phase 2 of the development. The site plan presented was not complete, lacking several items required on the plan, most notably the 30-foot roadway into the development. Golden responded to Hayes at the P&Z meeting that it was already decided at a prior council meeting that Phase 2 was not to begin until Phase 1 infrastructure was at least 70% complete. Another concern was whether the issues noted at the recent TDEC inspection had been corrected.

Construction foreman Spencer Haithcote addressed the council as to the progress so far on Phase 1. He reported that four homes were nearing completion, and two more were framed out. Haithcote detailed the work that has been done to rectify the issues TDEC noted, and also reported that engineering was designing the roadway. Metro Utility Department (MUD) Manager Ronnie Cunningham reported to the council that the water lines installed by Whiskey Creek’s contractor had recently been tested, and showed numerous leaks.