Comments on: Proposed “Crestpointe” development - wrong proposal for Oak Ridge http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/ Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:58:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Ellen Smith http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/#comment-93 Ellen Smith Fri, 02 Mar 2007 21:31:54 +0000 http://ellensmith.org/blog/?p=21#comment-93 Netmom appears to have her facts wrong, CrackerNation. As I posted on her blog, Raj says he was surprised to learn (from a newspaper reporter who asked him to comment on Netmom's blog post) that he works for the Oliver Smith Realty company (<b>because he doesn’t</b>). For the record, his business website is <url>http://intelisim.com/</url>. His site does list a client called the Smith Group (<url>http://www.smithgroup.com/</url>), but they aren’t related to Oliver Smith Realty, and aren't even located in this area. Maybe that was the source of the misinformation. Whoever started this rumor should be informed that “Smith” is not a unique name (<i>I can definitely vouch for that fact!</i>). And before it's too late, I guess that I'd better go on record to say that <b>I have no relationship to Oliver Smith Realty</b>. Netmom appears to have her facts wrong, CrackerNation.

As I posted on her blog, Raj says he was surprised to learn (from a newspaper reporter who asked him to comment on Netmom’s blog post) that he works for the Oliver Smith Realty company (because he doesn’t).

For the record, his business website is http://intelisim.com/. His site does list a client called the Smith Group (http://www.smithgroup.com/), but they aren’t related to Oliver Smith Realty, and aren’t even located in this area. Maybe that was the source of the misinformation.

Whoever started this rumor should be informed that “Smith” is not a unique name (I can definitely vouch for that fact!).

And before it’s too late, I guess that I’d better go on record to say that I have no relationship to Oliver Smith Realty.

]]> By: CrackerNation http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/#comment-92 CrackerNation Fri, 02 Mar 2007 19:00:27 +0000 http://ellensmith.org/blog/?p=21#comment-92 Alas, Raj Jain, the data crunching expert for the so called "Oak Ridge Citizens for Due Diligence" forgot to do due diligence on himself. http://www.citizennetmom.com/ points out that he has a relationship with a Knoxville realty firm that is pushing its own development in town. I think that it is time look again at all his claims that may form the basis of our opinions. Alas, Raj Jain, the data crunching expert for the so called “Oak Ridge Citizens for Due Diligence” forgot to do due diligence on himself. http://www.citizennetmom.com/ points out that he has a relationship with a Knoxville realty firm that is pushing its own development in town.

I think that it is time look again at all his claims that may form the basis of our opinions.

]]> By: Fred Stephens http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/#comment-80 Fred Stephens Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:20:07 +0000 http://ellensmith.org/blog/?p=21#comment-80 I am in communication with Mr. Schramm about his analysis and what I think are misleading statements. For example, #8 about the abatements is simply not true. City staff said from the first meeting that abatements will not be available. There is not enough room here to repeat all of my communications with Mr. Schramm. I repeat my main question: "What will you do about the economic woes?" Have you no fear that what will end up on the ridge could be worse than retail shopping. I am in communication with Mr. Schramm about his analysis and what I think are misleading statements. For example, #8 about the abatements is simply not true. City staff said from the first meeting that abatements will not be available. There is not enough room here to repeat all of my communications with Mr. Schramm. I repeat my main question: “What will you do about the economic woes?” Have you no fear that what will end up on the ridge could be worse than retail shopping.

]]> By: Ellen Smith http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/#comment-75 Ellen Smith Sat, 24 Feb 2007 17:54:15 +0000 http://ellensmith.org/blog/?p=21#comment-75 <em><strong>Response to Fred Stephens</strong></em> I agree that the city needs retail, but this is not the right location for it. Not only are there huge site-preparation and infrastructure costs, but siting new retail at this location would detract from our existing retail districts. The ridge-top site is currently zoned for -- and has been marketed for -- industrial use. It is not ideal as an industrial site, but industrial development would not require that the entire site be at a single elevation (this is one of the biggest costs of the current proposal) and it would not have the potential to generate the traffic congestion that could come from a busy shopping center. Most significantly, using the site for the purpose for which it is currently designated would not detract from the city's existing commercial districts. If you are convinced that "at least half of what [Bill Schramm's] article says ... is an outright lie or very misleading," please explain. Response to Fred Stephens

I agree that the city needs retail, but this is not the right location for it. Not only are there huge site-preparation and infrastructure costs, but siting new retail at this location would detract from our existing retail districts.

The ridge-top site is currently zoned for — and has been marketed for — industrial use. It is not ideal as an industrial site, but industrial development would not require that the entire site be at a single elevation (this is one of the biggest costs of the current proposal) and it would not have the potential to generate the traffic congestion that could come from a busy shopping center. Most significantly, using the site for the purpose for which it is currently designated would not detract from the city’s existing commercial districts.

If you are convinced that “at least half of what [Bill Schramm's] article says … is an outright lie or very misleading,” please explain.

]]> By: Fred Stephens http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/#comment-74 Fred Stephens Fri, 23 Feb 2007 22:56:45 +0000 http://ellensmith.org/blog/?p=21#comment-74 I have not decided whether I am for or against the GBT Realty proposal. I have attended several meetings and asked many questions. I know this and from your text I see you probably agree. The City needs more revenue and the land on the ridge will be used for something eventually. So, what would you do instead? Now is the time to answer this question. We need solutions. What will you do about the economic woes? What would you prefer to see on the ridge? Could you imagine worse on the ridge? By referring to Bill Schramm's analysis are you endorsing it? If so, I must take great issue - because at least half of what his article says today is an outright lie or very misleading. - Fred Stephens I have not decided whether I am for or against the GBT Realty proposal. I have attended several meetings and asked many questions. I know this and from your text I see you probably agree. The City needs more revenue and the land on the ridge will be used for something eventually. So, what would you do instead? Now is the time to answer this question. We need solutions. What will you do about the economic woes? What would you prefer to see on the ridge? Could you imagine worse on the ridge? By referring to Bill Schramm’s analysis are you endorsing it? If so, I must take great issue - because at least half of what his article says today is an outright lie or very misleading. - Fred Stephens

]]> By: Raj Jain http://ellensmith.org/blog/2007/02/18/proposed-crestpointe-development-wrong-proposal-for-oak-ridge/#comment-18 Raj Jain Mon, 19 Feb 2007 04:28:49 +0000 http://ellensmith.org/blog/?p=21#comment-18 Good to see you blogging. Truth shall prevail. Good to see you blogging. Truth shall prevail.

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