At a Nov. 11 meeting, the Knox County Zoning Commission approved Worley Builders’ planned residential (PR) rezoning for the former Holston Gases property with a binding condition that the adjacent West Prong of South Gallaher View Road be widened to 20 feet before lots are plotted.

Neighbors from the Westland Station community told the commission the existing dead‑end portion of the road is 14–16 feet wide in places and that an 18‑foot standard the county had recommended could leave insufficient room for emergency vehicles when cars are parked. "If the road's only 18 feet wide and we have 2 vehicles parked on either side, that would only leave about 6.4 feet for passage...the standard width of a fire truck is 8 feet and an ambulance is 6.8," said Melanie Schrack, speaking for the neighborhood.

Scott Williams, the developer’s representative, said the company had no objection to widening but noted practical constraints: utility relocations, limited right‑of‑way on the narrow parcel and nearby power lines. Williams said construction access would be staged from the main (East) prong and that work on widening and utilities could be done as part of the initial dirt work to limit neighborhood disruption.

Planning staff and commissioners sought a guarantee that the road would be widened before construction generated significant traffic; Commissioner Russell moved to approve the rezoning with language requiring the road widening be completed prior to the plotting of lots. The motion passed by voice vote.

What the condition requires: the commission recorded a condition that the West Prong of South Gallaher View Road be widened to 20 feet before any lots are platted; county engineering staff will coordinate utility relocations and verify completion prior to plat approval.

Why it matters: The condition is intended to ensure emergency vehicle access and to limit construction‑period disruption to neighbors by requiring the developer to complete road improvements early in the project timeline. The commission assigned follow‑up responsibility to county engineering and planning staff.

Next steps: Staff will coordinate with the developer on utility relocation and the road‑widening schedule; plat approvals will be contingent on verification that required road work is complete.