Kenner Manor Association

Update on Woodmont/Kenner Condo Development

Aug 22, 2006

Phillip and I met with the developers and members of the Planning Commission yesterday to discuss the condo development on Wilson Manning's properties at the end of Woodmont and Kenner. In reponse to the negative comments regarding size in our previous meeting, they have agreed to bring the building down by one story on each of the three sections, creating a stair-stepped building of 3,6, and 10 stories instead of 4-7-11, with the 6 and 10 story sections backing up to the 3 Kenner properties that Wilson Manning owns which would be renovated and sold to individual buyers after being zoned single family. They are also planning to try and purchase the two Woodmont properties adjoining the development and either treat them the same as the Kenner properties, or turn them into Greenspace.

We explored the possiblity raised previously that Wilson Manning may put some money into street improvements for Kenner in exchange for our support. While sidewalks would probably be out of the question due to the slope on either side of Kenner, we discussed having him provide an alternative to the current traffic calming zig-zags: maybe putting speed bumps or rumble strips in and repainting the street to have straight lanes, parking on one side and a bike/pedestrian lane on the other. Other items discussed included money toward the triangle and some sort of entrance pillars/signage for the neighborhood.

We let them know that there would probably still be strong opposition based solely on the size of the building. Councilman John Summers and Keith Covington (from Planning) are going to schedule a time to come out and tour the site with us to get a better idea of the footprint, how much old growth would have to be cleared, and what the project would look like to the Kenner Properties just south of the ones owned by Wilson Manning. Meanwhile, the developers are going to go back to Manning and see how much he is willing to spend on neighborhood ameneties and whether or not he can come down on the price any more to allow them to further reduce the size of the project.

-Will Johnston