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

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.