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Planning commission approves Homestead Land Holdings concept and development plans after debate over connectivity and tree preservation
Summary
The Planning Commission approved alternative design standards, a concept plan and a development plan for Homestead Land Holdings, allowing up to 56 attached houses on Millertown Pike, while declining to add community proposals for mandatory connectivity or an arborist tree‑preservation plan.
(Note: This article summarizes a multi‑motion action. Key votes and the amended condition are listed below.)
The Knoxville‑Knox County Planning Commission on Feb. 13 approved a three‑part package for Homestead Land Holdings — an alternative design standard, a concept plan and a development plan — to allow up to 56 attached houses (townhome‑style units) on a roughly 14.2‑acre tract along Millertown Pike. The approvals included a staff‑recommended amendment to concept condition 5 that narrows developer responsibility for off‑site right‑of‑way improvements to those “as caused by the development.”
Kevin Murphy, representing the Knox Community Planning Alliance, urged commissioners to add conditions requiring future connectivity to neighboring parcels, a certified arborist tree preservation plan with grading tied to that plan, and a formal open‑space management plan for the roughly 8.6 acres of common area identified on the concept plan. Murphy cited comprehensive plan Policy 11 (promote neighborhood connectivity), subdivision regulations on interconnected street systems, and guidance on conserving natural features.
Applicant representative Thomas Krajewski said the concept plan preserves roughly 61% of the parcel as open space (about 8.6 acres), with about 7 acres planned to remain undisturbed; the proposal clusters 56 attached units and requests two minor alternative design standards to reduce lot frontage and adjust intersection grade to address local drainage. Krajewski acknowledged engineering’s requested language on off‑site right‑of‑way costs was broad, and the applicant asked for clarification limiting developer responsibility to improvements “caused by this development.”
Vice Chair Huber moved to approve the alternative design standard to reduce minimum lot street frontage from 25 feet to 24 feet; the commission approved that motion. Huber then moved to approve the concept plan subject to staff’s conditions but amended condition 5 to read that any off‑site right‑of‑way improvements must be those “as caused by the development,” and that the developer would either enter a memorandum of understanding or reimburse the county for direct expenses for work done by county crews. That amended concept plan motion passed. The commission also approved the development plan for up to 56 attached houses subject to the listed conditions. Commissioners debated but declined to add mandatory connectivity, tree preservation or open‑space management conditions, with staff noting the new comprehensive plan provides guidance but does not yet codify “shall” statements and the pending UDO will address more stringent standards.
What happens next: The approved concept and development plans move forward with engineering and permitting conditions. The applicant must comply with the amended condition on off‑site right‑of‑way improvements; the developer and staff indicated they will address drainage, grading and stormwater in design plan review. Community groups may continue to press for tree preservation and connectivity in future UDO updates.
