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A proposed zoning amendment that would allow a high-density apartment complex to be built on William Blount Drive will allow the county to benefit from increased tax revenues, advocates say.

Still, community members concerned with managed growth are afraid that the change could open more rural areas of the county to development.

The amendment would allow high-density multifamily residential developments in the zones to be built fronting 26-foot-wide roads, which are narrower than currently allowed, within the county's Suburbanizing District zones.

Planning Commission Chairman Jim Scully said that would allow the county to benefit from tax revenue generated by the type of high-density housing projects being built nearby within the city limits of Maryville.

"You are already getting that in the city of Maryville," he said. "It's about time the county got some money out it."

The proposal is associated with a planned 296-unit apartment complex on a 22.8-acre site near the intersection of William Blount Drive and Dotson Memorial Road.

Current zoning regulations, however, would only allow 141 units on the property.

As long as the high-density developments are confined to the Urban Growth Boundaries of Alcoa and Maryville, Commissioner David Graham does not have a problem with the amendment.

"I don't have a concern with that particular development," he said. "It's in a Suburbanizing zone. I do have a concern if it would be allowed on all 26-foot-wide roads throughout the county."

Most Suburbanizing District areas in the county are located within a five-mile ring around city limits of Alcoa and Maryville, although there are some places where the district extends beyond the growth boundaries.

This is one of several zoning amendments the Blount County Commission is discussing.

The changes will be considered for approval during a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on April 10 in Room 430 of the Blount County Courthouse.

Kathleen Skinner, chairwoman of the Raven Society, is concerned the change could lead to high-density development outside the Urban Growth Boundaries of Alcoa and Maryville.

"It leaves the whole county open to increased development on roads not intended to bear that kind of load," she said. "The point of managed growth is encouraging growth within the urban growth boundaries.

"Multifamily dwellings within the urban growth boundaries are the way to go.

"It's more efficient and cost-effective in terms of sewer and police enforcement."

Building tax-revenue-generating apartment complexes within the Urban Growth Boundaries is important because Maryville picks and chooses commercial areas to annex, Scully said, leaving the residential subdivisions within the county.

Scully said he wants the city to annex the subdivisions, too, to relieve pressure on the county's infrastructure.

"It's only common sense," he said. "They create the monster. let them deal with it."

Chris Hamby, Alcoa director of planning and codes, said her city requires that the same type of housing be located on a roadway at least 26 feet wide.

"We felt that, in an urban area, that is not bad, but that's in an urban area," she said. "We go by road facility ... you wouldn't want a dense development on a lower-classification road."

Pam Arnett, public information officer for Maryville, said the city requires multifamily housing complexes with more than 25 units be fronted on at least a 28-foot-wide roadway.