[{"_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",6476165,"mediaKeyId","5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0","parentId",5731040,"title","Votes at a glance: Key ordinances and contracts approved by Knoxville City Council on Sept. 2","audioSeconds",2150,"startMs",1844000,"endMs",3994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0&start=1844&end=3994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0/thumbnail_1844000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476165/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-ordinances-and-contracts-approved-by-Knoxville-City-Council-on-Sept-2","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476165-3903464bac9d8ea6588a24a1aebd2d91/orig.mp4?Expires=1775350068&Signature=TVoSS9v3EfE7Sm2Eun5VdfftRqY~ZebhbBlupI7tScyKNMxewuDtIFPB0hgqVopl~B4Zn-CT9EVT8yw~YVQvY7PqKzlTOjBbjznwXfnfETJbkUYF7GDf7QRTInzST40z1ezJYVJySx~WEIXe51~FhDdrDDmSknVeag~zsi3ykeGxaZJMWNbZakanHgoP49Um3O-oghFYiY2jNdOpa7DfGvbbYn5sYEP7GGqL79ssmNvrxeekXNXlQA-FTfaFxIk4KSmnpZ1BqoO-7E~wM4x01UMF4yq4-vxLIMLdhKM-1nlSSG5k~uKOY3441js7Kwf1owK58Lmj6Z-WMdNjsA0Jkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Knoxville City","date","2025-09-03T17:45:43Z","article","The Knoxville City Council approved multiple ordinances, resolutions and contracts on Sept. 2. Many passed by voice vote with no extended discussion; below are the key items, the motions and the outcomes as recorded on the meeting agenda.

Summary of passed items (motions were carried unless otherwise noted):
- Ordinance 9b: Amended Knoxville City Code to allow beer permit holders to apply for and obtain patio use permits in public right‑of‑way under specified criteria — motion approved by voice vote.
- Ordinance 9c: Removed the city requirement for issuance of city blasting permits, aligning with state jurisdiction for blasting permits — motion approved by voice vote.
- Ordinances 9e/9f/9g (consolidated): Central city sector plan amendments and related items for Fort Sanders neighborhood — consolidated and approved.
- Resolution 11i: Authorize acceptance of a policy with Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company for vacant property insurance; approximate annual premium $35,126 — approved.
- Resolution 11j: Contract with Henley Roofing Co., not to exceed $142,000, for Fire Station No. 7 re‑roof — approved.
- Resolution 11k: Agreement with CDM Smith, not to exceed $200,000, for a safety improvement study of signalized intersections — approved.
- Resolution 11l / 11m: Canon and Canon LLC ($285,000 maximum) for construction engineering and inspection and Southern Constructors Inc. ($1,293,187 maximum) for construction of the Liberty Street multimodal project — both approved.
- Resolution 11n: Accept donation of $23,950 from Knoxville Firefighters Association for the Fire Department’s 'Learn Not To Burn' program — approved.
- Resolution 11o: Contract with Public Consulting Group, not to exceed $85,050, to develop a strategic plan for the Knoxville Fire Department — approved.
- Resolution 11p: Agreement with University of Tennessee College of Social Work to provide enhanced HMIS support to the Office of Housing Stability, annual amount not to exceed $177,400 — approved; staff noted Knox County also contributes support for HMIS.
- Resolution 11r: Approve preliminary plan for Galbraith School adaptive reuse development at 4333 Galbraith School Road, subject to conditions — approved.
- Ordinance 12u: Close portion of Ambrose Street and execute quitclaim deeds to adjacent property owners — approved.
- Ordinance 12v: Amend Appendix B (zoning code) articles on vesting to align with Tennessee Code Annotated section 13‑4‑301 — approved. Staff noted the state law vests rights at the time of permit application and the city changed code to match.
- Various rezoning and sector plan items (12y, 12z, 12aa/ab/ac consolidated items, etc.) were consolidated as noted on the agenda and approved.

Most motions were approved by voice vote; where a roll call or contested vote was recorded the council announcement appears in the meeting minutes. Items that drew longer public comment or formal debate (for example the Chilhowee Park/Emerald Youth item and the Keck Road rezoning) were handled separately by the council and are summarized in standalone articles.

Ending
For details on any specific contract or ordinance (contracts include maximum not‑to‑exceed amounts), consult the city clerk’s posted agenda packet or contact the city clerk’s office for executed documents and contract files.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council R 265 250902","oneSentenceSummary","At its Sept. 2 meeting the Knoxville City Council approved a series of ordinances, contracts and resolutions covering sidewalk and patio use rules, construction contracts, safety studies and planning items; several items were consolidated and passed with little debate.","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},6476169,"Council approves changes to Knoxville's 'missing middle' rules; developers warn amendments could limit affordable options",1502,4891000,6393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0&start=4891&end=6393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0/thumbnail_4891000.jpg","/articles/6476169/Tennessee/Council-approves-changes-to-Knoxvilles-missing-middle-rules-developers-warn-amendments-could-limit-affordable-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476169-1a30101cdc1f11c921cb30856292696b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775350068&Signature=l2Xv0Nsf6QnDkeiY1LePrYNff9E4oceTmEH0kcgG3b-m5XT8rggI0ddkkq406VKjqaqcWWyNCBwptUk1~ubLd-jXxejv8YEJfxbC06AuhQxwAL485ysFy903Wn4Q0XVanS3uxqApla5SdbgGJKnj5ZIR5AY88Fvn2-3jnBLm8DnejglYuCKCmwOLF6bVPUP~ofapd2RU0q41drqDIV9kD6Xw0eM9ZmQe8cUlDo86GFZbMExlyakpGqfSffIbqpuQzJ~wT8VkZukY01zgeGtk~wF1iTyOk~hgHwElR0-rKvZ4zNh5sEdZXlIUmqcIBOtaolW062cyTbc3pJc5V5EbEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Knoxville City Council approved amendments to the zoning code provisions governing middle housing (sometimes called missing middle housing), adopting changes to multiple sections of Appendix B of the Knoxville City Code. The council vote was 6–2.

Supporters on the council said the amendment clarifies how middle‑housing options are reviewed and addressed in specific zoning districts. But developers, local builders and a handful of planning commissioners warned the changes add “poison pills” that will curb the most economical building techniques for small‑scale multi‑unit housing.

What proponents and opponents said
Developer and housing‑market speaker Parker Bartholomew argued that the changes would make it harder to build townhomes, triplexes and fourplexes under the residential building code and would push more projects into the commercial building code (the International Building Code), increasing costs and regulatory requirements (for example, triggering accessibility and multifamily standards). Bartholomew said the result would be fewer lower‑cost for‑sale housing units; he contrasted city affordable‑housing project per‑unit costs with smaller private townhome projects he said cost substantially less per unit.

Resident and land‑use critic Arventley Marlowe told the council the proposed text is poorly written, would prevent beneficial forms such as street‑facing townhouses on corner lots, and contradicts earlier council decisions that allowed firewall‑separated multi‑unit townhouses without mandatory sprinklers.

Planning staff response and next steps
Planning staff noted the middle‑housing option remains voluntary (property owners can still build under base zone rules), and staff said they would return later in the year with targeted standards for corner lots (to allow multiple principal structures in some corner contexts) and other technical refinements requested by the planning commission. Staff said pocket‑neighborhood and cottage‑court options remain in the code as alternative paths to multiple smaller units on a single site.

Vote and immediate effect
The council adopted the ordinance as amended; councilmembers recorded a 6–2 vote in favor. The changes amend Articles 4.6 (middle housing standards), 9.1 (general use regulations), 10.1 (general development requirements) and 14.6 (design review board powers) of Appendix B. Planning staff said they will continue to refine the code and bring further clarifications back to the commission and council.

Ending
Developers called for a remand to planning to rewrite problematic language; planning staff said they will study corner‑lot provisions and return with refined language later in the year. Advocates for modest, more affordable housing units said they will monitor how building‑official interpretations and the code changes affect actual project approvals.","The council voted 6–2 to adopt amendments to the city’s middle‑housing (missing middle) rules that planning staff said clarify standards; developers and housing advocates warned changes could restrict townhomes, triplexes and fourplexes and reduce affordable housing opportunities.",{"_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},6476174,"Neighbors’ safety, notice concerns send Keck Road rezoning back to planning",2003,1948000,3951000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0&start=1948&end=3951","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","/articles/6476174/Tennessee/Neighbors-safety-notice-concerns-send-Keck-Road-rezoning-back-to-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476174-8e17b805d7d3c97541ca3289d73db361/orig.mp4?Expires=1775350068&Signature=kyE24j2WZOfcmipUSmGFkRIezqoM9Vej1FLM4LQdWzyxdivdd41jJrYQywrHR36AwwlukIkJ5NA3qsX16QTfYk~GEl07SBajqarnnKblQ3cpoBqoQzyNsdyAEw3NVocZqkGaXnYidce6dJBExLY3pT0-UIF5ETNR74H2aU~fyXFdR0LhLCpYu6ZdHYpzNg5FY1ukwjNTcbVu6n5EVGIhE~EWbAjC4n2sUkWtfzJKsUcusulDefBF-UWgL1n6pc26ioiqTu82ZXX3pEkRT1TYpHElvzdI11TiHTZlDvdKYcuGB-NKG-aOhikJaQtfZCKEHYxI2oD-VpObPloaloWa6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville City Council voted to send a proposed rezoning for property on Keck Road back to the planning staff for further analysis and recommendations after several neighbors testified against the change and staff raised safety concerns.

The request sought to change the zoning of roughly 1.38 acres on Keck Road from agricultural to RN‑1 (residential) to allow the applicant to subdivide the parcel. Neighbors and planning staff said the parcel’s access and surrounding conditions warrant closer study before council approves any change to intensify residential development.

Why the council sent the item back
Members of the nearby neighborhood told council they had not received required mailed notice, that Keck Road is extremely narrow (residents said the road is about 15 feet wide), and that the planning staff recommended denial. Art Haines, who lives on Keck Road, said the county‑side Valley Pines neighborhood should be considered as an adjacent established neighborhood and warned that rezoning could set a precedent enabling much denser development in future. Resident John Hitt, who said he has lived on Keck Road for 35 years, emphasized safety concerns tied to sight distance and the narrow roadway.

Planning and engineering considerations
Planning staff said the property currently lacks sanitary sewer service; that triggers different minimum lot sizes for septic systems (staff noted a 20,000‑square‑foot minimum for lots not served by sewer). Engineering staff told council that stormwater detention and sight‑distance analyses would be required and that without sanitary sewer the number of buildable lots is constrained by soils and stormwater requirements. The applicant’s engineer said existing rules would limit the property to three lots given the on‑site constraints, and that soils testing would determine bedroom counts for septic systems.

Motion and outcome
Councilmember Singh moved to remand the application to planning to evaluate other zoning options (including whether an Established Neighborhood — EN — designation is appropriate on this site) and to consider engineering and sight‑distance issues; the motion was seconded and carried. The mayor’s office noted that remanding to planning will reset the statutory clock for city action.

Ending
Planning staff will review the requested parcel with the direction from council, analyze potential EN applicability and the engineering constraints (sight distance, stormwater/septic requirements), and return with recommendations. Neighbors and the applicant will have an opportunity to present additional information to planning before the matter returns to council.","Council remanded a rezoning request for property on Keck Road to planning for further review after multiple residents and planning staff raised safety, notice and sewer‑access concerns.",{"_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},6476179,"Knoxville council delays decision on Emerald Youth purchase of Chilhowee Park, schedules more public engagement",2154,156000,2310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0&start=156&end=2310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731040-f04dc0d47977d65752fab104fbe13cc0/thumbnail_156000.jpg","/articles/6476179/Tennessee/Knoxville-council-delays-decision-on-Emerald-Youth-purchase-of-Chilhowee-Park-schedules-more-public-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476179-f9d36f2316565ba95aa6e1a50258d049/orig.mp4?Expires=1775350068&Signature=X0G8c92nNR-PAymZ314I5mzJiny0qx9CamE1hoQhoMfkALxSkFgZCC9r4Qg1KcL1WJ8vzoLkop9QH88N9uQsOhzyMOZSV5s~RV-U4~16nhDx97Xx887lGqdHW6bhEv670YP1JwXYUR9ZW2tKrYcIlRmAAKFGF2H64~rR2NxT7R31AfR3IiOMeUxD5eGw7C0-QayP~Mw8LAuqb5VWJqcmhfpv0yrnpAakJgTkUy1ft-MMNeVQ6gg35usHA~ux-lppjTEY-gzdn5i4e-CDyXynBJ3FT5j4M1Ud2tg6oJEzvmBAQlOPoP~--HVLrM5Zvo-LGeVbLByDM3hSKgglnfaAEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Knoxville City Council postponed action on a proposed purchase agreement with the Emerald Youth Foundation that would transfer portions of Chilhowee Park, voting 6–2 to delay consideration for four weeks to the council meeting on Sept. 30.

The delay follows repeated concerns from council members and residents about the process used so far, questions about the request for proposals (RFP) and what the proposed development would include, and calls for more time for public input. Councilmember McKenzie initially moved to postpone the item for two weeks; after substitute motions and discussion the body approved a four‑week postponement.

The vote matters because it holds open the possibility that the council will either approve the purchase agreement, withdraw it, or ask for a new, broader public process. Councilmembers and speakers during the meeting said residents in East Knoxville want more time and clearer information before the council approves a long‑term change to public parkland.

Council discussion and next steps
Councilmembers repeatedly said they wanted written answers to the questions raised at a recent town hall. The mayor’s office said a draft responses package — including links to the RFP, RFP responses and the 2019 Chilhowee Park strategic plan — was in draft and expected to be posted to the city website imminently. The administration also said it planned another city‑hosted public meeting at the E.V. Davidson Community Center the week after the meeting (the administration indicated it would seek a later start time, around 5:30 p.m., to accommodate working residents) and that Emerald Youth planned an open house at its Lonsdale campus, tentatively set for Sept. 9.

Councilmember Parker urged caution with a short postponement, saying a single follow‑up meeting would not fix the broader concerns about process and community trust. Parker argued the city should consider withdrawing the purchase agreement and reopening the conversation rather than hold a rushed vote.

Public comments and community concerns
Multiple speakers at the public forum and during the agenda discussion urged the council to protect Chilhowee Park as public parkland and to give East Knoxville residents a central role in deciding any future use. Vivian Scheib told the council: “Saying no to this land sale is the right thing to do,” and asked the body to “go back to the table and offer other sites.” Kent Manot, representing a local Sierra Club group, urged the council to reject the sale and to restore the park’s tree canopy and passive green space rather than create new campus buildings and an artificial turf field.

Speakers and council members repeatedly raised these themes: the park has historical value; residents want shade, trees and passive recreational space; and they mistrust a process that many said felt rushed and insufficiently transparent. Some speakers also noted that Emerald Youth could pursue other properties outside Chilhowee Park to site a sports complex.

What the council voted on
The motion carried to postpone the item for four weeks. At roll call the council recorded six votes in favor and two opposed: Councilmember Ryder — yes; Councilmember Roberto — yes; Councilmember Singh — yes; Vice Mayor Smith — yes; Councilmember Thomas — yes; Councilmember Hensley — yes; Councilmember Parker — no. The mayor announced the motion carried 6–2.

What happens next
The council left the purchase agreement on the agenda for Sept. 30. In the interim the administration will post the draft FAQ and related documentation and hold at least one city‑hosted public meeting in East Knoxville; Emerald Youth said it had tentatively scheduled an open house for Sept. 9 at its Lonsdale campus. Councilmembers said they expect written answers to outstanding questions before the next council meeting.

Ending
If the purchase agreement returns to the council on Sept. 30, members will vote with the additional materials and public comments in the record. Councilmembers and many residents said they will judge any final decision on whether the city has sufficiently addressed concerns about process, public access and long‑term park stewardship.","The Knoxville City Council on Sept. 2 voted 6–2 to postpone consideration of a purchase agreement that would transfer part of Chilhowee Park to the Emerald Youth Foundation and directed additional public meetings and posted materials to address community questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Key ordinances and contracts approved by Knoxville City Council on Sept. 2

Council approves changes to Knoxville's 'missing middle' rules; developers warn amendments could limit affordable options

Neighbors’ safety, notice concerns send Keck Road rezoning back to planning

Knoxville council delays decision on Emerald Youth purchase of Chilhowee Park, schedules more public engagement