[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6200847,"mediaKeyId","3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8","parentId",3805573,"title","Planning commission approves convenience store with up to 16 fuel pumps after amending stormwater condition","audioSeconds",382,"startMs",7106000,"endMs",7488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8&start=7106&end=7488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8/thumbnail_7106000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200847/Tennessee/Planning-commission-approves-convenience-store-with-up-to-16-fuel-pumps-after-amending-stormwater-condition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200847-782887a7521dd0e7a2df8cc06637ce18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911592&Signature=a~cOKuUCj5tPband8B3ty6flHzzg0MRasGyPSWxTXiL80DJN~2mSEK6CSAWKtgXmcxrr0dSs-W4x~8PxznQ7nPxUtOAM6vwO-oqdfDV3cvydFGQ06r7p00Yv7EhHE0BLIIkBIoTQKf11puugUvyBeN1B~VZwHFMXOrMqZbBlA2fWlTJo9~4GrUKALARkWpf6xC-MDy-2edgzQN4P7Da2d0irne268yPYvkkkB3eqr-3rz3wVTpNtC4P3Dj8yo8NKvvB4p0vv61nmu4EvYazZmyjsuUFEBLj0I8N4m~KVOliPv3DiQUt1eqfWEQydbXAGc7rUnwUJLLnQiS~KnpFSzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-06-13T15:59:58Z","article","The Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission on June 12 approved a development plan for a convenience store with up to 16 fueling stations at the southeast corner of Ebenezer and Westland Drive, subject to 13 staff conditions. Commissioners amended condition 1 to limit county‑recoupment language to unforeseen off‑site stormwater improvements in the right‑of‑way caused by the development.

Melissa Clark, representing the developer (LKM Properties, LP), asked commissioners to clarify the language in condition 1 so the developer would not face open‑ended liability discovered after construction was underway. Clark said a worst‑case example would be discovering late in construction that an off‑site turn lane or signal retrofit would cost “a half a million dollars” and asked for clarity on when such costs would be required.

County engineering staff described prior cases in which downstream drainage pipes required upsizing after site grading; staff explained the amended wording intends to ensure the developer bears costs for off‑site stormwater infrastructure that the development causes. Commissioners adjusted condition 1 to restrict the developer’s responsibility to unforeseeable off‑site stormwater improvements within the right‑of‑way that are caused by the development; the applicant agreed to the clarified language. With that amendment, Commissioner Levinson moved approval and Commissioner Anderson seconded; the motion passed on voice vote.

The approval requires the developer to meet conditions including verification of turn lanes, access improvements and stormwater controls before permits are issued; staff will enforce those requirements during the design‑plan and permitting phases.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning R 399 250612","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission approved a development plan for a convenience store with up to 16 fueling stations at Ebenezer and Westland Drive, amending a staff condition so off‑site stormwater improvements in the right‑of‑way caused by the development would be addressed during design/permit review.","taxTitle","Planning Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",72439,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200852,"Neighbors oppose Emery Road rezoning; owner seeks small subdivision to house relatives",585,3108000,3693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8&start=3108&end=3693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8/thumbnail_3108000.jpg","/articles/6200852/Tennessee/Neighbors-oppose-Emery-Road-rezoning-owner-seeks-small-subdivision-to-house-relatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200852-5d4ee4e90b9681a851aa2131a1eac1c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911592&Signature=m3QkfxUf4WPIzZ4X26eZIfsbXtR0h8uNAMfM0X4Qm8QqWKn0-WoRAfQTCQ~RtkH~CDnxxly~4Nem7Askwfs-MfcJMOyFaRp7JUSBGWo4NaFdIOhhjWws4c8I-D3kn-5c~gk4G~USv6YgOYFoEuKdmdOqU3NpZ9F2bT963~juyjhvd0qfko7b6NTAdAjHQlSBsBFL~UWZm9xlIkXSdHYX6m48hk4grh0A~3vMC2TISDy20jqzj6SIFs78V5ljtdqyClCjKfO5VUw-wBK1TySANLjdqcts7wTyx3W9uM4vmTJNQB049GSB3f5y0Nhftr4H5L1mqkqXzHdGWnBgNctC-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commissioners on June 12 approved a request to rezone a roughly 1.93‑acre property on East Emery (Emery) Road to Low Density Residential, despite multiple neighbors testifying concern about traffic and driveway safety on the narrow, heavily‑traveled road.

Property owner and applicant Nils Hay, who said he lives at the subject property, told the commission the request was to subdivide the lot into several parcels so family members and aging parents could move nearby. “The purpose of this rezoning is to allow us to subdivide this into a few lots to move family down here,” Hay said.

Multiple neighbors — including Tammy Cox, Marion Lawson, James Wise and Jay Cox — described longstanding safety problems on the nearby Brown Gap/Emery Road intersection and said they frequently cannot safely turn out of their driveways. Tammy Cox said she had a collision while attempting to turn across traffic: “I sat in my driveway for about 10 minutes trying to cut across … the next thing I know, I'm being rammed into the side of my car.” Several speakers emphasized that the stretch lacks sidewalks, has a narrow bridge and carries heavy daily traffic; a staff representative said the corridor had been on TDOT’s improvement list but was removed from a near‑term program because of right‑of‑way costs.

Commissioner Gill urged the commission to focus on the comprehensive plan’s place‑type guidance, noting the parcel sits in a planned growth/suburban residential context and moved to approve the change per staff recommendation. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Staff and commissioners noted that any subsequent development must meet applicable subdivision, access and stormwater requirements and that the applicant had indicated willingness to work with neighbors and to perform additional traffic or design work as needed.","A rezoning request by property owner Nils Hay to subdivide nearly two acres on East Emery Road drew multiple neighborhood objections citing dangerous traffic conditions; commissioners approved the rezoning per staff recommendation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200857,"Commission approves Taco Bell drive‑through on Kingston Pike amid pedestrian‑orientation concerns",305,1610000,1915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8&start=1610&end=1915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8/thumbnail_1610000.jpg","/articles/6200857/Tennessee/Commission-approves-Taco-Bell-drivethrough-on-Kingston-Pike-amid-pedestrianorientation-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200857-4f266f6a2009dc24b2a2378957fba153/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911592&Signature=UhdFKGDzzgZGRxUPzATxerivxAs1i5Cw6mS7s7PwmOIkJVORdOqrPs2iOeAc3osYeUbue6VRKV5i4jlLsl7T2QWFKBozDofaw9WpeAQkLQroMn-Qh8dsP2KwaF-dLSx8meQh~DT~zGurfPpJU6jS7lPBwnQqGLtETrKMhwSCpY8iL0V4CBwJrxHzquqpIVr673IBkOfNfdQ9Gfv7hNfpn21EEwlJyuAsZB3gfqDFQR01GL6pte9hQ2LqCJ5umxXkJq4oPJD~BRQXX6m5Z8-lk-BhB-lwaUXSLHiY87hu2sNgfruony4UMJkwlGEsus7ReqW1LriKYd1ff4U3xb6Y2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission approved a special‑use request June 12 for a Taco Bell restaurant with a drive‑through at 5959‑02 Kingston Pike, subject to 10 staff conditions including limitations on certain driveway movements.

Sarah Dowling, speaking for the applicant as a representative of GPD Group, described the proposed facility as “a 2,105 square foot restaurant with a patio and drive through,” with 18 indoor seats, 12 patio seats, seven drive‑through stacking spaces and 18 parking spaces. She said Taco Bell and the property owner agreed to staff conditions and described improvements to a small cemetery on the site, including a decorative fence and pedestrian access.

Several commissioners raised concerns about the site layout and its compatibility with the CG‑1 zoning’s pedestrian‑oriented design guidance. “I just I cannot see how this is pedestrian oriented in any way,” Commissioner Gill said, criticizing the building’s placement behind a decorative retaining wall and the lack of a clear pedestrian entrance from Kingston Pike. Gill and others argued the building’s “skinny side” faces the road and the proposed design pushes pedestrian access into a parking/drive‑through area.

Commissioner Anderson and other commissioners also questioned a staff‑recommended condition restricting a primary driveway to right‑out only, citing concerns that restricting one exit could increase turning conflicts elsewhere on the street. The applicant said a traffic study had been submitted and that the developer would accept limiting the primary driveway to right‑out if they retained full access (including left turns) onto the side street, Agnes Road; commissioners and staff said traffic study findings and TDOT/engineering requirements informed the recommended driveway condition.

After debate, Commissioner Browning moved to approve the request subject to the ten conditions; Commissioner Levinson seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote. Commissioners specified that Hillside Protection and other applicable site standards and the approved design guidelines remain in effect; staff will confirm compliance with required turn‑lane and access improvements during plan review.

The commission’s approval allows the special‑use drive‑through in the CG‑1 district under the noted conditions; final site plan and permitting reviews remain to ensure compliance with traffic, stormwater and pedestrian improvements.","The Planning Commission approved a Taco Bell with a drive‑through on Kingston Pike subject to 10 conditions; commissioners expressed concern the site plan is auto‑centric and not pedestrian oriented, and imposed a right‑turn only restriction for one exit.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200862,"Planning panel approves MDR plan amendment and RN‑3 rezoning for Boyd's Bridge Pike site, retains hillside protection",464,952000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8&start=952&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805573-c47bb091359b738564eb4f399e4e47f8/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/6200862/Tennessee/Planning-panel-approves-MDR-plan-amendment-and-RN3-rezoning-for-Boyds-Bridge-Pike-site-retains-hillside-protection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200862-e24d50a4f9083b7c8de8bad8c7499ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770911592&Signature=epdvI31Xet6r22KTpRkKZ6aSkmqv~ridef2JriWL3RN5FpNJjG47nmPAQQ3rWQK1YR1mFCV1VteT4aMK4YFxecMfjEqmjtjC3cmFzb759rS6k8mQwkxtBJO2w578IIZcpVPy82l6NPuPmI2nzJ-IK-bdykHE0v833w5yI8dksPuhQJtyU0Cdpi8uyYUkc5BiBeOaO23gNNcglGc2TTPNq2WRcd~wmwRIMVbrs9m2uo1zlTQGnUFY6Gt9a3j0Zs4mrwHPTw09asHWYvzgmZTDpP~kreKy8e9~dd4Vg5Xs4ofpyWE3fUcf~j6vK4stuklyi2b7~x3vVi1znKqIHbrplg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission on June 12 approved a plan amendment to Medium Density Residential (MDR) and rezoned a 13.09‑acre tract on the north side of Boyd's Bridge Pike to RN‑3, while retaining the property’s Hillside Protection Overlay.

The decisions came after the applicant, Reginald Bell, told the commission the change was intended “to meet a need for the missing middle in that area” and to prompt investment in a neighborhood he said has suffered disinvestment. Staff had recommended denying the MDR amendment, saying the proposal did not meet criteria for a plan amendment, but commissioners voted to approve both the plan amendment and the RN‑3 rezoning.

Commission discussion emphasized proximity to city services, road capacity and the potential for additional housing. Commissioner Higgins noted staff’s finding that the area had “remained as it is, for several decades,” but said increased dwelling units could be beneficial. Commissioner Overton argued the site is “prime for increased density,” noting the area’s proximity to commercial nodes and schools and moved to approve the plan amendment and rezoning. The motions passed; commissioners specified that the Hillside Protection Overlay would be retained on the property.

The commission’s approvals apply to the planning recommendation (MDR) and to rezoning to the RN‑3 district. No formal vote tally by individual member names was recorded in the public transcript; multiple commissioners voiced support and the chair declared the motions carried. The commission noted that final actions on plan amendments or rezonings may require further action by the Knox County Commission or city council as applicable and that hillside protections remain in effect.

The applicant spoke directly at the hearing; no organized opposition spoke during the item. Next steps for the applicant include any required county or city hearings and compliance with the retained Hillside Protection Overlay and applicable subdivision requirements.","The Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission approved a medium‑density residential plan amendment and RN‑3 rezoning for a 13.09‑acre parcel on Boyd's Bridge Pike, while keeping the property's Hillside Protection Overlay in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves convenience store with up to 16 fuel pumps after amending stormwater condition

Neighbors oppose Emery Road rezoning; owner seeks small subdivision to house relatives

Commission approves Taco Bell drive‑through on Kingston Pike amid pedestrian‑orientation concerns

Planning panel approves MDR plan amendment and RN‑3 rezoning for Boyd's Bridge Pike site, retains hillside protection