Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1982

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Planning

Major Professor

George E. Bowen

Abstract

The topic of this study is the Harrill Heights subdivision in the northeast section of Knoxville, Tennessee. The Harrill Heights subdivision was developed in the mid-1950's while it was an unincorporated area in Knox County. A sinkhole existed in the subdivision and under county regulations in the 1950's, development of single family residential homes was allowed within the sinkhole. Consequently, due to development of the area causing increased runoff, abnormally high rainfall in the 1960's, a finite capacity in the underground water system in which the sinkhole drained and the simple fact that the homes were located in a flood prone area, flooding repeatedly occurred in the sinkhole damaging houses and personal property.

The case study traces the political decision making process and the limited interdisciplinary problem solving process which the municipal government of Knoxville utilized in the resolution of the Harrill Heights flooding problem. The processes are diagnosed and the strengths and weaknesses are analyzed.

Using the example of the City of Knoxville's decision making process, an interdisciplinary problem solving model was developed. The purpose of the model is to present a problem solving process that may be applicable to problems faced in the future by other local governments attempting to solve urban flooding problems.

In this inquiry a breakdown of the costs incurred as a result of flooding problems in the Harrill Heights sinkhole is shown. These costs ranged from public costs to the City of Knoxville for consultant fees and land acquisition costs, to private costs of former residents of the Harrill Heights sinkhole for flood insurance.

In conclusion, the case study examines whether or not the Harrill Heights flooding problems could have been avoided had current land use controls been in effect in 1955. The case study also focuses on whether current regulations in Knoxville are preventing flooding problems similar to Harrill Heights from occurring in the future. Opinions of former and current public officials are used as professional opinions on the effectiveness of these regulations. In addition, specific examples of recent development are cited which demonstrate the effectiveness of current regulations in preventing future flooding problems.

Federal mandates since the mid-1960's have been aimed at an integrated system of land use regulations and engineering practices to control flooding. The study demonstrates how land use tools, in this instance land acquisition, saved taxpayers of the City of Knoxville money by solving the Harrill Heights flooding problems by means of acquiring homes in the sinkhole as opposed to a more costly means of constructing a storm sewer to drain the sinkhole.

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