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