West Hills is one of the premier neighborhoods in all of Knoxville, Tn. It is conveniently located across from West Town Mall on one side and bounded by Middlebrook Pike on the other. The community association has an enviable 30 plus year record of activism in defense of the zoning and quality of life. One of our achievements was the development of the West Hills Plan of zoning that was subsequently adopted by the entire city of Knoxville for all the neighborhoods.
President is Joe Fuhr 693-1810.
As information breaks we will post it to these pages. Check the site often. Membership is limited to those persons currently owning property and residing in the West Hills area north of Papermill Road and Kingston Pike, West of New Weisgarber Road, East of Walker Springs Road and Mars Hill Road.
West Hills History
In 1964 a fledgling organization came to an agreement with Morgan Shubert to prevent construction of apartments in West Hills. In June of that year,1964 a founding meeting was held to re-establish an enduring organization. The meeting was attended by 34 families, which agreed to the creation of the new organization, and charged Dr. Richard Briley to draft a letter soliciting members.
The original officers (J.E. Brown, President, Ken Monty, Jamie Kinsey, and Richard Briley, as VP, secretary, and treasurer respectively) immediately opposed plans for a trailer park, south of Kingston Pike, in an area zoned commercial and adjacent to what would become West Town Mall.
The association also addressed quality of life issues. Years after annexation street lights were not in place throughout the community, and water service continued to be provided by Lenoir City Utility Board. These issues were addressed, and even fire hydrants were scheduled for installation as the result of the new organization.
By the end of 1964, 136 families were dues paying members, and issues for action abounded. It was obvious that the high school was inadequate, and the group threw its vigorous support behind a school-bond construction plan for a new Bearden High. Members stepped forward to pitch in on different concerns. B.Ray Thompson chaired a steering committe to establish a schedule of "Aims and Devices:. Lynn Craig met with KUB regarding lights and water, Paul Haas initiated a study to create a park for the new community; Brown and Monty tackled the problems of school sidewalks, traffic, and the fact that bus service from downtown did not extend all the West to West Hills.
Its hard to believe now that, the city mentally did not exist beyond Northshore Drive and Kingston Pike.
Even the problem of sewage disposal at the high school was believed to be a quality of life issue for the community, and Charles Saulpaw headed a group to find a solution. As 1964 closed, most of the initial problems were resolved, or on the way to solution. Notably sidewalks were placed around West Hills Elementary School, sewer service was expanded; street lights were committed, and negotiations with Morgan Shubert were nearing completion for acquisition of land for a park!