Design Review Board approves two East Jackson mixed‑use projects with conditions

The Downtown Design Review Board on Feb. 19 approved Certificates of Appropriateness for two multi‑story mixed‑use projects on East Jackson Avenue, subject to conditions on materials, screening and a corrected zoning citation.

The two projects—the seven‑story mixed‑use building and parking garage at 207 East Jackson Avenue (case 12B24DT) and a five‑story residential building with retail at 301 East Jackson Avenue (case 12C24DT)—were approved after the board and applicants discussed pedestrian activation on Morgan Street, the visual treatment of a large stair/tower elevation, garage screening and the possibility of a future public sidewalk/greenway adjacent to the railroad right‑of‑way.

Board members and staff said the projects generally meet the board’s design objectives for Downtown and the Old City while flagging details that must be finalized before building permits. The board required that final site plans meet city engineering and zoning standards and that signage return to the board as a separate application. Members also required visible screening for a utility transformer and specified that certain paneling be flush (no exposed battens) as shown in the submitted elevations.

Mike Reynolds, planner for Knoxville‑Knox County Planning,…