[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6156959,"mediaKeyId","5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353","parentId",5467822,"title","Council postpones decision on Ambrose Street closure after questions about greenway and tree impacts","audioSeconds",300,"startMs",3800000,"endMs",4100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353&start=3800&end=4100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353/thumbnail_3800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6156959/Tennessee/Council-postpones-decision-on-Ambrose-Street-closure-after-questions-about-greenway-and-tree-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156959-be4cf279209dfe6aba881760451f4ec0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190057&Signature=oMyn013dTIcWUK6OcnWT6jemHzHH07HC9m6x-J8Px6wgWrVxAikALpJk~cRDGL4QGq7RGSQDG6js6FI6GS~PRnjuhs21dMsZvViNGuVLHRZZsT0IMM~pT5-tJa5NPQzyCxhE3IuxK2IAVT6WHJHxLIj8fCYzB9Pl-KNnlar7w15E1wcs4K2p~b1y0~eYi3ripkRZyM3HUa7vDnOTo7ikXgn3ySW4AGkTAAgMT1iFjaLwRn2Bluwv45uxhPnOSQFRv70q81YHleTSCXFNv9DhNU-mSOEc6E3HUUaim8Iv~gEZVC8Rxmkl1mYztu2wWIq0NkbkFcojC28f2mMuo5sdQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-07-24T23:26:57.237Z","article","City Council postponed action for two weeks on a resolution to close a 50-foot portion of Ambrose Street adjacent to city blocks 19184 and 19206. The closure would have allowed the applicant to use 25 feet of the right-of-way to create private drive access and develop two four-unit townhouse projects.

Developer Eric Forrestal of Ball Design Services told council the request was intended to permit a private driveway and rear parking area using the paper alley and to avoid steep roadside parking. He said the property design includes split parcels and two townhouse buildings.

Council Member Thomas, whose district includes the site, asked for postponement after receiving late opposition correspondence from a neighbor raising questions about whether the short alley could serve as a future greenway and about tree removal and legal concerns. Thomas said he wanted to consult Parks & Recreation and the law department and review the new materials before voting.

Council approved a two-week postponement so staff can provide clarity on the scope of the closure (whether it would close the full alley or only a portion, and whether any dedication for greenway would remain possible), tree impacts, and the legal questions raised.

Outcome: Motion to postpone for two weeks approved; staff to return with clarifications and any recommendations for mitigation or alternative access designs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council R 265 250722","oneSentenceSummary","A proposed closure of a 50-foot portion of Ambrose Street to allow development of two four-unit townhouse buildings was postponed two weeks after council members raised concerns about potential greenway use, tree removal and legal issues raised in late correspondence.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",69361,"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},6156964,"Council OKs nearly $5 million in HUD and CDBG awards for lead hazard control, eviction prevention and home repairs",207,3110000,3317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353&start=3110&end=3317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","/articles/6156964/Tennessee/Council-OKs-nearly-5-million-in-HUD-and-CDBG-awards-for-lead-hazard-control-eviction-prevention-and-home-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156964-d1d3d44510655f47d4a38796c4e87025/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190057&Signature=boZuXSIKcwzjrX4Kl9C-kwMfROUgCQx-63A9bacgCq~4cob7PkCKYNJzECV3Vj9D9qG09r6DBDFMBpcq5FWxEp1d9Qob26wuhvnWC3FIp9hm9bg59qD-r0VEfAMEMDEI8ij9oDnUcfo173Vbcv-MQFAdysfLyg14udCK6a3G8~Hc9Jy4JzrLPWYdgz5G5uj0R1Tby2zq0R9EYXBd51LvO-iUhGLsvPmgU0VDINwnCA~TzXv4D~FrAI4JMrxtaB3LMd2rj-9OdMpPk58VIpiWjha3xWfb2Fo9e-09n-bzy~RyJmatSY9sbYRMuTyS-PmU7yY4ezkPd72XOTTSItNPAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council approved several resolutions authorizing federal and subgrantee agreements to support housing stability, lead hazard control, and eviction-prevention services. Together the actions commit nearly $5 million in HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HUD Healthy Homes/Hazard Control funding and related subgrantee contracts.

Key approvals included:
- A subgrantee agreement with Knoxville Knox County Community Action Committee for up to $475,000 to support emergency and minor home repair.
- A HUD lead hazard control and healthy homes initiative award for $4,077,522.62, with a required local match of $337,001.09, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,414,523.71.
- A $25,000 CDBG subgrant to East Tennessee Community Design Center for conceptual design and technical assistance for roughly seven community improvement projects.
- A $50,000 CDBG subgrant to Legal Aid of East Tennessee to provide legal services to low-income residents facing wrongful evictions and other housing crises.
- A $385,260 CDBG subgrant to Neighborhood Housing Incorporated to support Operation Backyard's minor home repair program.

Council materials described the combined funding as intended to keep people in their homes, prevent homelessness, mitigate lead hazards and improve housing safety and health conditions. Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Kevin DeBose was on hand to answer council questions; council members remarked that the programs will help \"hundreds\" of low-income families and thanked staff for managing federal program requirements.

All motions passed. Several council members noted the scale of the HUD award and the importance of eviction-prevention legal services in preserving housing stability.

Outcome: Resolutions passed; city staff to execute the subgrantee agreements and implement programs consistent with HUD and CDBG program rules.","Council approved multiple federal and subgrantee agreements totaling nearly $5 million to support lead hazard control, emergency/minor home repair, eviction-prevention legal services, healthy homes initiatives and technical assistance projects.",{"_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},6156967,"Council approves $17.7 million construction contract and CEI for Pleasant Ridge Road Phase 2",230,3000000,3230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353&start=3000&end=3230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353/thumbnail_3000000.jpg","/articles/6156967/Tennessee/Council-approves-177-million-construction-contract-and-CEI-for-Pleasant-Ridge-Road-Phase-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156967-0faac91d0d3196a4cef3a4e7f6ebe563/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190057&Signature=n7ohQ0m1oXkyiODRJtxpe0Bdck4Vy5NhPCZNfZTPCKe73gpbjTd86OSglcU8kjvo8UJFulY19lMnpFF3PWOO-24~xs8R3SkLf1xERlPJwgTD59HAMypQUKKb5cFWgbjK8DZG1tOSOX87SbHRwv5mWMM2jtyrOH0a78PQzP1Glnr3kULTIkclQKveGjhhvIGLgGsnKnNkocL09pM8dNOnV2i3qv2pJk5~F~BYEdQooP6T~Ij16Sbxvag89OytTxQvHm0RJ2-md75yginS~M0sT~0SaRuNUHpyfNzH4JPhtRwvVeNJgrj8ZkNWpX2fszY~N~4KdooEWKke78U2F7sleg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved two resolutions authorizing contracts for the Pleasant Ridge Road Phase 2 project: a construction contract with Charles Blaylock & Sons Inc. in an amount not to exceed $17,686,117.07, and a construction engineering and inspection (CEI) agreement with Johnson, Mermerian & Thompson in an amount not to exceed $1,223,187.31.

Council members described the investment as significant for District 3. The project scope discussed in the meeting includes new turn lanes, sidewalks, about 1.25 miles of additional greenway construction, and utility upgrades. Council members said the improvements will benefit residents and visitors to the district and thanked staff and advocates who advanced the project over several years.

Both motions passed without recorded opposition.

Outcome: Contracts authorized; city staff to execute agreements and begin project delivery per standard procurement and project management processes.","The council authorized a $17,686,117.07 construction contract to Charles Blaylock & Sons Inc. and a $1,223,187.31 construction engineering and inspection contract to Johnson, Mermerian & Thompson for the Pleasant Ridge Road Phase 2 project, which will add turn lanes, sidewalks, greenway and utility upgrades in District 3.",{"_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},6156972,"Council approves Industrial Development Board action for Grandiflora Foundation redevelopment on East Magnolia",1155,2750000,3905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353&start=2750&end=3905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353/thumbnail_2750000.jpg","/articles/6156972/Tennessee/Council-approves-Industrial-Development-Board-action-for-Grandiflora-Foundation-redevelopment-on-East-Magnolia","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156972-e70828fe7fcdb1ec9518e8cd53e02028/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190057&Signature=Hp1PYOZ8FuB1ZphEy-fTy~NIw1jX~N8X~NnOzemlGsmAx4IHjAzZ9vxBkUZQ6vJX4WMMnGeNlkDivQt0lLH0Pse3BXU5PfZZmLMX3rG60HTsTG5er8Avq9seaFCGwsRpMaL32baiXa71r2phEy98247-4qlM~EG1xRNZXou~GGPNukxL04KfH~EWoi-aS7xPH3A78fmt4d5A~A1gt4fpoYwCV2SGTD9P~ed0Vrze9efgitBODXxLCbWPNtLJxs6QcS2zr3Skbp6dIYLBMItRn1obj5c4FdtiyOppUsZxa~q2k7gul6IHJayKgynl08ICPxtV2Ak5amXU3gKZ3nyQUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Industrial Development Board to negotiate and accept payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes related to the Grandiflora Foundation's redevelopment of properties at 2439 East Magnolia Avenue and 2436 East Fifth Avenue.

Phil Lawson, the project's lead developer, described the plan in detail during the meeting. He said the restored Knoxville Baptist Tabernacle sanctuary will serve as a main event center with seating for roughly 350 on the ground floor and additional capacity in the balcony, and he described a smaller indoor piano-bar venue called Sweet Audrey's adjacent to the main hall. Lawson told council he expects a mix of free, low-cost and ticketed shows and said he aims to hold many community-oriented events.

Lawson also said the project will support a public garden, outdoor seating and courtyard space, and restored historic homes. He said one renovated house will be leased to Autism Breakthrough for $1 per year. On the Magnolia-side parcel he described about 110 parking spaces and sculptures planned for the public garden.

Council members welcomed the proposal as a major private investment in East Knoxville and pointed to the project as aligned with the recently adopted Magnolia redevelopment corridor goals. Multiple council members said the project addressed neighborhood concerns and preserved historic assets while adding programmed community spaces.

The council recorded the vote in favor and the resolution passed. The action allows the Industrial Development Board to proceed with PILOT negotiations and to find the payments in lieu of taxes \"in furtherance of the public purposes\" authorized under Tennessee Code Annotated C 7-53-305, as described in the agenda language.

Lawson said he has lined up programming partners and plans a mix of cultural performances, weddings (including a stated goal to provide many no-cost weddings per year), and community events. He said the overall project budget and private investment are substantial and that he has been working on restoration and fundraising for some time.

Council members asked for and received clarifications about public benefits, including the publicly accessible garden and the project's potential to stimulate further investment in East Knoxville. No amendments or conditions were attached to the council's authorization at the vote.

Outcome: Resolution passed; Industrial Development Board authorized to negotiate PILOT payments and proceed with project approvals and agreements.","The Industrial Development Board authorization for payments in lieu of taxes for the Grandiflora Foundation's Magnolia Avenue project passed; developer Phil Lawson described a multi-part reuse of historic buildings, performance and event spaces, community gardens and partnerships with nonprofits.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6156977,"Council denies appeal of sign variances for proposed fueling center at Third Creek and Middlebrook",3669,1038000,4707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353&start=1038&end=4707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5467822-6e41ac18dd6075b6b77f5de937a0f353/thumbnail_1038000.jpg","/articles/6156977/Tennessee/Council-denies-appeal-of-sign-variances-for-proposed-fueling-center-at-Third-Creek-and-Middlebrook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156977-c9f6cb0f0748992c8e914c40a8ac4a44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190057&Signature=IKmio6zSFQKmBWEABKcfLS9RaH3AZdZu7~vfEu-9HxDQ8AYHcZ46W8-Lfagw9ZRSYqwdKtjJ9q10Phn~uO5y5AZ9MgjQHwdL917Ip5t2n813KwxcmS2jEPge2Y~xgb4RJZSKoAUrd5rHI~zH1YHfeTs9ab3DLGXIV9jKUk46zjH9bnH1T1ehPld8a6kZN4lfXTX9WFhA62QVePVr1QKeyF3buvTvbRyopSGnlFMekL7DffI3TpFV50rFM5CCHLletcwppI6uhXwTnCPMz2hZPcTBns85ilD-tHs5z1AqqgsdCp7UpQaVxTypBdXSMBerzniiRGvpgDWWxf6mndgDiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Knoxville City Council on Thursday denied an appeal of Board of Zoning Appeals approvals that granted two sign variances for a proposed travel fueling center at 1415 Third Creek Road, leaving the variances in place. The vote to deny the appeal passed 5-4 after the mayor cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of denial.

The issue centered on two variances: reduction of the minimum required frontage on the street of address from 250 feet to 192.5 feet to allow a changeable-price electronic message sign, and an increase in maximum height for a detached pole sign from 10 feet to 20 feet. The appeal was filed on behalf of Scenic Knoxville.

The appeal hearing included testimony from opposing and supporting parties. Appellant Kevin Murphy argued that the council adopted the 250-foot minimum to prevent proliferation of intrusive electronic signs and that the applicant had created a “self-imposed hardship” by orienting the primary building toward Third Creek Road. Murphy also warned that “granting the variance would add to visual clutter which is contrary to the purpose of the sign ordinance.”

The applicant's representative, Taylor Forester, said the lot's current configuration resulted from a past road expansion and addressing changes, not a developer decision: “This was not something that was requested by the original property owner.” Forester and the applicant argued the site's grade changes and the truck-heavy traffic on Middlebrook Pike made the taller pole sign and the electronic, changeable-price sign necessary for safe visibility and access.

Developer Alan Bell of Racetrack said practical visibility was the core issue: “we're just trying to get up a little bit higher, especially in that westbound traffic on North Middlebrook ... if we have a standard ... sign that is a 100 square feet and only 10 feet tall ... the bottom of the digits are only 4 feet tall. And if you've been out there, you've seen all the fuel trucks that are going through there. If there's anybody at the light at Third Creek, they're gonna completely block our sign.”

Council members debated whether the standards for granting a variance were met. City planning staff and BZA materials were cited repeatedly, including the sign ordinance sections referenced in the agenda packet (articles 13.6.G.1 and 13.9.F.3 table 13-2) and the variance criteria (Article 16.3) read into the record.

Council Member Roberto moved to approve the appeal (to overturn the variances); that motion initially resulted in a tied vote and failed after the mayor declined to break the tie. After additional motions failed or were postponed, council later took a final vote on a motion to deny the appeal, which the mayor broke in favor of denial; the council recorded the final decision as a 5-4 vote to deny the appeal, leaving the BZA approvals intact.

Council members who voiced opposition to the appeal cited the ordinance's strict variance standards and multiple existing access points and sign options at the site, while others said the addressing decision by E-911 and the site's topography created practical access and safety concerns for motorists. Several members urged staff and the BZA to be explicit in future proceedings about the variance criteria.

What changed hands legally: the council's denial of the appeal leaves in place the Board of Zoning Appeals' earlier approval of the two variances for the proposed fueling center. No council direction for further study or amendment of the sign ordinance was enacted as part of this vote, though multiple council members said the sign ordinance may merit review.

Background and context: The changeable-price sign rule (250-foot minimum frontage on the street the property is addressed to) dates to the city's 2009 ban on new electronic message centers and a later 2015 sign ordinance update. The applicant's materials note the property has three frontages; only the frontage associated with the official address fell under the 250-foot threshold after an addressing change during permitting.

Council did not direct staff to take new action on addressing policy or to remand the matter to the BZA. Any subsequent changes to the sign ordinance or addressing rules would require separate ordinance or administrative action.

Outcome: Appeal denied (motion to deny appeal carried 5-4 after mayor cast deciding vote).","After more than two hours of testimony and debate, Knoxville City Council denied an appeal seeking to overturn variances that allow a changeable-price electronic sign and a taller pole sign for a proposed travel fueling center at 1415 Third Creek Road, leaving the Board of Zoning Appeals's approvals in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council postpones decision on Ambrose Street closure after questions about greenway and tree impacts

Council OKs nearly $5 million in HUD and CDBG awards for lead hazard control, eviction prevention and home repairs

Council approves $17.7 million construction contract and CEI for Pleasant Ridge Road Phase 2

Council approves Industrial Development Board action for Grandiflora Foundation redevelopment on East Magnolia

Council denies appeal of sign variances for proposed fueling center at Third Creek and Middlebrook