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Waterfront Master Plan Update
The Oak Ridge Waterfront Master Plan is available and updated with the latest image of the plan.
Initially, the Melton Lake Redevelopment Committee was created to establish a forum for the coordination of lakefront activities between various interests. The committee consists of representatives from the Oak Ridge city staff, the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission (Planning Commission), Oak Ridge Rowing Association (ORRA), private sector (property owner), the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Anderson County County Commission, TVA, and the UT Arboretum. This coordination proved invaluable during activities such as Fourth of July activities; local rowing regattas and spring training, especially preparations leading up to NCAA Women's Rowing Championship; and bicycle events. During this time, discussions were on-going related to renewal or cancellation of the contract for the ORRA to continue management of the Oak Ridge Marina. It was during these deliberations ORRA made a decision to allow the contract for management of the marina to lapse and city staff to take over this role.
Following this action, the Recreation and Parks Department sent out a Request for Qualifications (RFQs) to maintain and operate the existing marina. After significant inquiry and pre-submittal meetings held on-site, two proposals were submitted. The first submittal was a proposal to maintain only the marina, the second submittal was more comprehensive in its approach and looked at not only management and operation of the Marina but partnered with the ORRA to develop a broad based plan for the waterfront area within the immediate marina/rowing association leased areas as well as the extended area adjacent Melton Lake Drive.
In reaction to this proposal and a feeling on behalf of the general public that the “cart was before the horse”, City Council, the City Manager and staff felt that more public input was needed prior to proceeding with any further consideration of waterfront improvements. At this time, City Council directed the Planning Commission to return to the “drawing boards” and essentially start over with the concept of developing a Waterfront Plan with associated infrastructure improvements, public activities and recreational programs.
The first public hearing was held in October 2008. The purpose of the hearing was to gather input and comments from the general public. Approximately 130 residents attended the hearing in the Oak Ridge Civic Center. During this hearing, the public was asked to respond to four questions. These questions were as follows:
Following the first public meeting, comments were gathered, tabulated and presented to members of the Planning Commission. The comments were divided into four (4) working categories. These categories included; Passive Recreation, Active Recreation, Commercial, and Support.
A second public hearing was held in March 2009. During this public meeting, participants were asked to review the comments previously submitted and prioritize the top three (3) for each of the categories. The participants were also asked to make suggestions as to where to physically place each of the priorities and comment on four (4) different architectural designs. The last task during the public hearing was to identify locations of the above referenced priority improvements. Maps were provided to individual breakout groups with properties which were owned by either TVA or the City of Oak Ridge identified. Limitations or encumbrances of the property were identified on the maps. Residents participating in the public forum located their top priorities on the maps provided. Once this information was collected, City staff started to assimilate the top priorities for each category and identify the land uses on maps. These findings were presented to the Planning Commission during a work session in May 2009. In the interim, comments were also gathered during the Earth Day Festival which was held April 25, 2009 and during the Secret City Festival which was June 19th & 20th, 2009.
After the gathering of public comments, staff presented the draft plan along with the Waterfront Plan map to the Planning Commission for review and adoption on October 22, 2009. After the Planning Commission adopted the plan, it was presented to City Council on December 14, 2009. Council adopted the Waterfront Development Plan by Resolution 12-113-09.
For additional information, you can contact the Community Development Department at (865) 425-3531.
To view the master plan, please click below.
