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Council approves changes to Knoxville's 'missing middle' rules; developers warn amendments could limit affordable options
Summary
The council voted 6–2 to adopt amendments to the city’s middle‑housing (missing middle) rules that planning staff said clarify standards; developers and housing advocates warned changes could restrict townhomes, triplexes and fourplexes and reduce affordable housing opportunities.
Knoxville City Council approved amendments to the zoning code provisions governing middle housing (sometimes called missing middle housing), adopting changes to multiple sections of Appendix B of the Knoxville City Code. The council vote was 6–2.
Supporters on the council said the amendment clarifies how middle‑housing options are reviewed and addressed in specific zoning districts. But developers, local builders and a handful of planning commissioners warned the changes add “poison pills” that will curb the most economical building techniques for small‑scale multi‑unit housing.
What proponents and opponents said Developer and housing‑market speaker Parker Bartholomew argued that the changes would make…
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