About the Kingston Pike Sequoyah Hills Association (KPSHA)

The Kingston Pike Sequoyah Hills Association (KPSHA) was formed in 1960 to address development threats on Kingston Pike and help preserve the beauty of this regal Knoxville street. The first meeting was held at the home of John and Eleanor Lutz Carter at 3411 Kingston Pike. High-rise apartments were proposed on the property where the Le Rue condominiums now stand and later on the property where Boxwood Square is located. The battles against spot zonings of these big lots was constant until State Senator Victor Ashe was able to pass a bill creating the Scenic Route Act which controls the density and height of buildings on both Kingston Pike and Lyons View Pike.

In 1960-61, the KPSHA opposed the lane lights on Kingston Pike, which were used for major events (football games) to change to 3 lanes in one direction and 1 lane in the opposite. After a period of time and several accidents, KPSHA prevailed.

The completion of interstate highway I-40/75 diverted the vast number of trucks traveling Kingston Pike, which significantly helped reduce traffic and noise. The speed limit was raised to 45 mph at that time, but developers were still drawn to the large, choice parcels of land on the Pike. The need for residents to go before MPC or City Council to again state the case for preservation of one of the most beautiful entries into the city persisted. A compromise agreeable to some was the establishment of churches on some of the large properties.

Another interesting battle was resolved when then Mayor Victor Ashe helped move the city/county line to the south side of the river, thus preventing boaters from shooting toward the residents of Sequoyah Hills in their quest for doves.

The Association was dormant in the late 1970s and early 1980s but resumed its work to oppose the rezoning for condominiums on the D'Armand property on Southgate Road (present site of Beacon Hill). Polo matches in the park on the west end of Cherokee Blvd were proposed and defeated. More recent battles include preventing the placement of a 182-foot cell tower in the Council Point area across from Sequoyah Presbyterian Church and the subdivision of a large lot on Cherokee Boulevard into several smaller parcels.

The KPSHA Board continues to monitor zoning changes, use on reviews, and variance requests while better long-term solutions are sought. A Historic Overlay (H-1) was placed over three houses on Lyons View Pike in 2004. For the residents in the Scenic Drive area, a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay (NC-1) in 2006 was viewed as the best way to preserve some of the largest lots and oldest houses. Other solutions on the table are R1-EN (a special zoning for established neighborhoods) and R-4 proposals still in the planning phase, which would allow for transitions between residential and office zones.

Much volunteer time and sometimes Association money is devoted to protecting the neighborhood from outside sources, but there are other ways that the Association serves this community. In the past 10 years this includes:

  1. Sponsoring the publishing of a book Reflections on Sequoyah Hills with Sandy Berwick as a benefit to residents and a neighborhood fund raiser;
  2. The donation of 100 Reflections on Sequoyah Hills books selling for $39 each to Bleak House (Confederate Memorial Hall) for restoration and preservation, and a contribution of $1100 and 100 books to Sequoyah Elementary School for school projects;
  3. Directing the Memorial Trees Program resulting in the planting of over 100 trees in the neighborhood;
  4. The donation of memorial trees and markers on the school grounds honoring the past principals of Sequoyah Hills Elementary school;
  5. Partnering with the City of Knoxville for new paving, curbs and sod along the Scenic Drive sidewalk;
  6. Monitoring and keeping the neighborhood informed during the major road construction project and turn lane addition at Kingston Pike and Lyons View Pike;
  7. Working with the City through the Bearden Council to build a sidewalk from Kingston Pike to Tobler Road along Forest Glen Road to West High School;
  8. Communicating regularly with neighborhood residents and UT officials in the development of Cherokee Park (the “Farm” across the river) to keep it neighborhood friendly;
  9. Oversight and establishment of Neighborhood Watch groups in several areas of the neighborhood;
  10. Ongoing work to establish a Traffic Calming Plan for the neighborhood;
  11. Continuing efforts to keep residents informed about neighborhood issues through newsletters, an email network, annual meetings, Labor Day picnics, zoning reviews, and other meetings on timely neighborhood topics.

The Association received an award from the Metropolitan Planning Commission for "Landmark Achievement for Creating a New Standard of Excellence." Knox Heritage gave KPSHA an award in 2004 for our role in civic leadership based on our focus on preservation and the historical significance of our neighborhood.

We salute the members of our community who have served with long terms as officers of the Association: Eleanor Lutz Carter who served as Treasurer from 1960 to 1982 to be followed by her daughter, Diana Carter Samples, who served for more than 20 years, Howard Lumsden longtime historian; past presidents starting with John Carter, Carroll Thrift, Chris Christenberry, Norman Dittrich, Jim Bletner (who also continues as our City and County government liaison and representative to Bearden Council), Raleigh Bacon, and the current president Sandy Gillespie. Tom Heffernan started and administered the Memorial Trees program for a number of years. There are many others who have served unselfishly with their time to make this the best neighborhood ever.

The Association needs to know your concerns and to have your suggestions. Please email a Board member or post a comment on our community forum. Our Board meets on the 1st Monday night of each month. The KPSHA Board thanks all residents for their interest and support, which are necessary to preserve the beauty and historical significance of this area.