Council approves change to nonconforming‑lot rules after heated debate over housing and community uses

Knoxville City Council on Aug. 20 approved an amendment to Knoxville City Code Appendix B, Article 17.3 that changes how nonconforming lots of record may be used and developed within the city.

Proponents said the amendment clarifies standards and protects neighborhood character; opponents said it will curtail small, lower‑priced “middle housing” projects and limit community uses such as group homes, community gardens and small parks.

Developer R. Bentley Marlowe testified in opposition and showed council renderings of 17‑foot‑wide triplexes he said had won planning commission approval. “Each unit’s roughly 607, 625 square feet,” Marlowe said, and he told council he believes he can bring units “to market at under $200,000” each. He said projects he described would produce about $6,500 a year in city property tax for each triplex and argued the amendment would remove the option to use some nonconforming…