Committees report to BOMA

Town of Farragut government has 10 advisory committees, and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen heard from four of them during its regular bi-monthly meetings in August.

Rita Holladay, long-time and recently re-elected chair of the Municipal Planning Commission, said she “wanted to start with March of 2020,” which began COVID-19 awareness. “Prior to that, many of us had never heard of Webex. But, thanks to the persistence of Town staff, they got us on, every month.

“I want to give a special shout out to (assistant to the Town administrator) Trevor Hobbs, and to all Town staff who helped us get through all that,” she added.

Town Judge Keith Alley also serves as chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals. He reported those meetings are “only held only as needed and during the past year, the BZA had four meetings “which typically occur the fourth Wednesday of the month.”

Alley said BZA also is “an appellate body for sign and sinkhole ordinances” and Board members are required to complete four hours of training each year.

Marty Layman, chair of the Visual Resources Review Board, also expressed gratitude for Town staff over the last year.

“We have responsibility for reviewing and approving ground mounted signs,” Layman said of the committee. “We also review and approve landscaping plans, provide input for proposed amendments and on other public space aesthetics when requested.” The VRRB meets the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Stormwater Advisory Committee programs include Adopt a Stream, Outdoor Classes, implementation of Wildlife Federation program, and annual events. The committee also serves as an appellate body for notice of violations and civil penalty assessments relating to water quality.

“Last year we also helped the Town with its permanent stormwater maintenance agreement,” said Violet Freudenberg, SAC member.

Other reports will happen during future BOMA meetings.