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Planning commission approves Masana Investments zoning for up to 5 dwelling units per acre
Summary
The Knoxville‑Knox County Planning Commission voted to rezone a Shady Lane parcel to Planned Residential (PR) for up to 5 dwelling units per acre after hearing objections from nearby homeowners and Beaverbrook Country Club about density and neighborhood character.
The Knoxville‑Knox County Planning Commission on Feb. 13 approved a request from Masana Investments LLC to rezone a roughly 18.735‑acre parcel on the east side of Shady Lane, south of Cunningham Road, to Planned Residential (PR) for up to 5 dwelling units per acre.
Neighbors and nearby property owners told commissioners the density proposed is out of character for the Cunningham Road corridor, while the applicant and planning staff said the request is consistent with the Knox County comprehensive plan.
Opposition lawyer Wayne Klein told commissioners the only contested element was density. “The density of up to 5 dwelling units per acre is at issue here today,” Klein said, arguing surrounding parcels are mainly low‑density single‑family lots and that PR at five units per acre would “sandwich” higher density between a golf course, a horse farm and large estate lots. Jerry Key, president of Beaverbrook Country Club, said the club’s roughly 600 members oppose the higher density, and he said the club shares a property line with the subject parcel.
Applicant Scott Davis said the county’s new comprehensive plan places the property in a planned growth area and that, in his view, five units per acre constitutes “low density residential.” He told commissioners he had met with neighbors and that his team will work with engineering to align the site’s access with Imperial Drive and to verify sight distance with a traffic analysis.
Vice Chair Huber acknowledged residents’ concerns about character and access but said the comprehensive plan intentionally guides some areas toward higher density to accommodate growth. Commissioner Levinson made the motion to approve the PR zoning at the staff‑recommended density; Commissioner Anderson seconded. After brief discussion, the commission voted to approve the rezoning by voice vote. The motion carried.
Planning staff said the PR request was found consistent with the Knox County comprehensive plan; any engineering and final access design will be reviewed during site plan and traffic analysis stages.
What happens next: The commission’s action forwards the case as required by local process. Any subsequent engineering, site plan approvals or appeals will be handled through staff review or in later public hearings.
