Let Your Voice Be Heard

Sample Email: 

Subject: Preliminary Plat for 1407 Montvale Rd

Dear [Representative’s Name],

I’m writing to share my concerns about the proposed development on Montvale Road. Please consider the impact on traffic safety, flooding, and local wildlife, and support responsible growth for our community.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

City Representatives and Council Member Names & Emails: 

• Michael Brusseau: mabrusseau@maryville-tn.gov​​

• Mayor Andy White: awhite@maryville-tn.gov

• Vice Mayor Fred Metz: fmetz@maryville-tn.gov

• Council member Sarah Herron: sherron@maryville-tn.gov

• Council member Tommy Hunt:  thunt@maryville-tn.gov

• Council member Drew Miles: dmiles@maryville-tn.gov

• City Manager Greg McClain:  gmcClain@maryville-tn.gov

• development@maryville-tn.gov

Email List to Copy and Paste: 

development@maryville-tn.gov; mabrusseau@maryville-tn.gov​​; awhite@maryville-tn.gov; fmetz@maryville-tn.gov; sherron@maryville-tn.gov; thunt@maryville-tn.gov; dmiles@maryville-tn.gov; gmcClain@maryville-tn.gov

Good morning Mr. Brusseau,

Per the letter I received dated 9/24/25, I am writing with regard to the proposed subdivision at 1407 Montvale Road.

My name is Allen Ammerman and I live here in Maryville. My wife (cc'ed) and I are professors at the University of Tennessee and our family moved to Maryville this past summer. We love the area and the people, and we accordingly have concerns about the development in question. (I am a finance professor, so my questions revolve around issues of finances and legal liability for damages sustained on account of the development.)

It is my understanding that emails sent by Oct 13 will be read and addressed during the meeting. Accordingly, I would like to have these questions asked and answered. (Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance as I teach a class on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. However, my wife will be in attendance.)

1. I am concerned about how the proposed development will impact the drainage of rainwater from existing properties. I have attached a map from First Street, which is a common source of flood risk information used by sites such as Homes.com. You will see from this map that there is already an elevated flood risk extending through the middle of the property in question. What is not as apparent, but those of us who live by the property know, is that the flood risk is higher than what First Street indicates. 

The land on the property currently creates a swale for water to drain off the surrounding properties. The result is that any time there is a storm there is a torrent of water that rushes from the retention pond at Shannondale through the field. Attached is a weather report from 7/1/2025 showing we received 0.80 inches of rain, and video of what the property looked like about four hours after the storm started. (You can also see the presence of sinkholes, which I mention below.)

The proposed subdivision will place several houses in the path of this rushing water, unless the proposal includes regrading the land. But, if the land is regraded, what assurance will the city provide to current residents that we will not have rainwater flooding back into our homes, thereby increasing our flood risk and potential insurance costs? If grading is not done properly, is the city legally liable for damages to existing properties either (a) because they approved the plan, or (b) because they failed to supervise a proper regarding of the land?

2. Related to the previous question: the current proposed subdivision includes what appears to be a retention pond on an uphill portion of the property. I have attached a topographical map for your reference. So my question is: what will the city do to ensure that rainwater does not flood back on to existing properties given the developer's apparent plan to drain water uphill?

3. I am concerned about the geologic integrity of the land in question. Over the period of a few years (from the time the aerial photos were taken until now) sinkholes have opened up on the land. This, of course, suggests the presence of underground caverns and raises questions about the stability of the land. What is the plan to assess the stability of the land before building homes on it? Will the city be liable to homebuyers if building is allowed on the land? Will the city be liable if development of the property destabilizes the land of existing homes thereby leading to current owners experiencing structural issues and increased repair costs?

4. I am concerned about traffic and safety. In the short time I have lived here, it has become apparent that Montvale road experiences heavy traffic during the morning and afternoon commute. I have attached maps from the TITAN dashboard and City-Data.com to help illustrate how traffic accidents already tend to occur along the section of Montvale Rd in question. What is the city's plan to mitigate the impact of putting an additional 68 homes (which I presume equates to 136 additional cars) coming in and out of this already-congested section of road?

5. Related to #4 above: many cars already cut through Turnberry Ln to avoid the traffic that backs-up on Montvale Rd (on account of the traffic light at Montvale and Montvale Station). Unfortunately, they tend to speed down the road creating unsafe conditions for people to walk (e.g., for morning exercise, with children, pets, etc.). I believe it is a fair assumption that adding 138 cars coming in-and-out of that section of Montvale Rd will only exacerbate the current issue. So, what will the city do to mitigate the second-order safety impacts that will result from adding 138 car/drivers to this particular section of road?

6. I am concerned about the impact to existing property values. Attached are reports from Reventure App (a resource that compiles real estate valuation metrics from multiple sources) showing that home inventory has already recovered past its long-term average, which coincides with a topping out of home values in zip code 37803. Needless to say, increasing supply at this point will only serve to lower existing home values. I would like to ask: what is the city's obligation in preserving the home values of current voters? Should the development go forward and indeed lower home values, how soon can we expect to have a reduction in our property taxes?

7. We also have concerns about the impact on school overcrowding, however I will leave those questions to my wife.

Lastly, it is my understanding (given that there is a petition with over 400 signatures) that these and similar concerns are shared by many in and around the immediate area, as this development will be sure to have second- and third-order effects.

Thank you for your time and attention to these concerns. I look forward to hearing back about how these questions/concerns will be addressed.

Respectfully,

Allen Ammerman

​Good Morning, 

My name is Angela Ammerman, and I am a resident of Turnberry Vista, a professor at UT, and a proud mom of a Maryville City child. I am writing to respectfully express my concerns regarding the Preliminary Plat for 1407 Montvale Rd. 

This project would allow for the addition of 68 houses on 22 acres of land. The exit for this densely-packed neighborhood would be on an already treacherous part of Montvale Road. In addition to lowering property values in the surrounding area, I am particularly concerned that this development could endanger families, increase flooding in existing homes, and increase the strain on our infrastructure and our school systems. 

Our concerns extend beyond the residents of Turnberry Vista. We have sought the help and guidance of surrounding community members and have found tremendous support for saving the 22 acres at Montvale. You can find the signatures of over 400 community members HERE. This petition has been gaining momentum, with over 80% of the signatures coming directly from Maryville. 

I would like to request that a few questions we have regarding this project be addressed either prior to or during the upcoming October 20th meeting: 

1. Can the developer or city confirm whether a detailed topographical and geological analysis has been completed to evaluate the extent of sinkholes, underground voids, and flood-prone areas on the proposed site, considering the visible presence of multiple large sinkholes, persistent standing water, and the area’s history of flooding?

2. Can the developer or city confirm whether a comprehensive traffic impact analysis has been completed for Montvale Road, taking into account the existing congestion, limited visibility, and accident history—and the additional strain that 68 new homes would place on this already hazardous roadway?

3. Who will be held liable if regrading of the land leads to increased flooding that damages existing or new homes, if additional sinkholes open and compromise property safety, or if traffic accidents rise significantly as a result of increased congestion on this already hazardous roadway?

Thank you for the care and commitment you continue to show to our city. We are proud to call Maryville home and deeply appreciate both the beauty of our surroundings and the thoughtful leadership that prioritizes the well-being of our community.

Gratefully Yours, 

Angela