The Knoxville Knox County Planning Commission approved a multi-stage development proposal for the Willows at Beaver Creek on Aug. 14, subject to conditions that include expanded vegetated buffering where the subdivision abuts existing single-family yards. The project — a planned residential concept with roughly 60 attached units on a property that had previously been discussed for higher density — drew opposition from neighbors who said stream flows, a pond spillway and the loss of a hobby farm would increase flood risk and reduce privacy.

Neighbor Mitchell Bennett and Don Queener raised the strongest objections, citing a pond spillway that delivers large flows during significant rain events and asking the commission to require a wider protected stream corridor. Planning staff and the applicant said the stream is treated as a blue-line stream with a 30-foot buffer on each side (a total of 60 feet) and that the design includes on-site stormwater detention ponds sized for peak flows. Staff recommended several conditions and engineering submitted designs; commissioners also required a Type A landscape buffer along portions of the subdivision abutting adjacent yards (lots identified during the hearing) unless existing natural vegetation provided comparable screening.

Applicant representatives said the site constraints — including sewer easements and the creek corridor — informed the layout and that they had no present intention to extend the street stub onto neighbor parcels; planning and engineering staff supported intersection-spacing and cul-de-sac variances because the chosen access point provided the best sight distance. The development and alternative-design requests were approved after motions and seconding by commissioners; a final development-plan approval included the added landscaping buffer and standard conditions for construction, stormwater and erosion control.

Neighbors said they would continue to press for protections and asked staff to enforce detention design and stream-buffer setbacks during permitting. Commission members said they expected engineering review to ensure detention ponds and culverts handle runoff and that planting or preservation of vegetation would mitigate visual impacts.