The 158-year-old West Knox County neighborhood of Concord could be up for annexation by nearby town of Farragut.
Farragut mayor Ralph McGill said some people in the small community approached the town about the idea; however, it's not sitting well with other residents.
"This is my mother's home, she was born and raised in Concord," 60+ year Concord resident Mac Abel described the century's old structure he currently lives in. He's one of the residents concerned about the plans for possible takeover.
"If anybody had to do anything with this house, it had to be us," Abel recalled the preservation of the home.
"We look after the area; we love the area. We're not going to do anything to spoil it in any way," Old Concord Neighborhood Association member Carol Montgomery said. She and Abel fear preservation of Knox County's only recognized "village" may be threatened if Farragut annexes and expands the boundaries of their neighborhood.
"We would be providing services that we would be to everybody else already in Farragut, including road maintenance and snow removal," Mayor McGill defended the idea. He said the unincorporated community is located on an "urban growth boundary" for the town.
As part of the historical side of the neighborhood, Concord is on the National Register of Historic Places. Montgomery said if Farragut took over the mile-long village, there would be development some neighbors do not want.
"They want to develop right down on the waterfront, people are living there. We don't want to be developed," Montgomery said.
Mayor McGill said that won't happen while keeping the integrity of the neighborhood.
"They can be reassured that of the security of the historic assets there, make sure they don't get destroyed," the mayor said.
But long time resident Abel said it won't be the same if this annexation goes through.
"We wouldn't want to be 'Concord in the Town of Farragut.' we want to be 'Concord in the unincorporated Knox County,'" Abel said.
There will be a meeting between Farragut leaders and community members this Monday night at 7:00 about questions on the possible move.
Farragut mayor McGill said he doesn't know when the decision for annexation will be put up for vote, but wants the people in Concord, to make that choice.