Committee Rezones Land for Developers’ Plans for Bower Field Park
City: Knoxville
The owners of the land that houses Bower Field Park in south Knox County have received the initial approval to proceed with their plans for redevelopment. Thunder Mountain Development, the owners of the property, have been working towards transforming Bower Field Park into a commercial space with shops and restaurants since 2023.
Rezoning Approval
The land currently housing Bower Field Park was originally zoned for agricultural use. However, the Knox County Planning Commission unanimously agreed to rezone the land for commercial purposes, a crucial step in the developers’ plans. The final decision will be made by the Knox County Commission.
A lawyer representing the developers highlighted that the agricultural zoning is no longer relevant as the park will be replaced by a new development. He pointed to similar zoning decisions in the vicinity and Thunder Mountain Properties’ track record of successful developments near Chapman Highway.
Community Concerns
As part of their redevelopment plans, the developers gifted 107 acres of nearby land to the county through the nonprofit Legacy Parks for the construction of new ballfields. They have committed to not initiating construction on the new development until the replacement ballfield is completed. However, the county still holds a lease on the original Bower Field Park for the next seven years.
A board member raised concerns similar to those expressed by neighbors, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the timely completion of the replacement park before the original lease expires. While he tried to set this as a condition during the meeting, the Commission attorney clarified that only the Knox County Commission has the authority to impose such conditions.
Conclusion
The committee’s approval of the developers’ rezoning request marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Bower Field Park into a new commercial space. The developers have taken steps to ensure the replacement of the park by donating additional land for the construction of new ballfields, in collaboration with Legacy Parks. The ultimate decision now rests with the Knox County Commission.