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Council approves small‑lot rezoning on Keck Road over neighbor safety objections
Summary
Council approved a rezoning to change 1.38 acres on Keck Road from agricultural to RN1 to allow three single‑family homes; neighbors and staff had warned the narrow, 15‑foot‑wide portion of Keck Road has limited sight distance and may require road improvements if industrial parcels across the street redevelop.
The Knoxville City Council voted Nov. 11 to approve a rezoning (item 13s) that changes 1.38 acres of a 6.38‑acre parcel on Keck Road from agricultural (AG) to RN1, allowing a developer to subdivide the front portion and build three single‑family homes.
Applicant representative Benjamin Mullins said the change was small and limited — "a very small development" intended to finance the owner's house on the remaining five acres — and that minimum lot sizes would be constrained by septic rather than sewer, limiting subdividable lots. Mullins said the rezoning had previously been recommended twice by planning and was back before council after a remand.
Several long‑time residents spoke in opposition, citing staff recommendations against the rezoning because of narrow roadway width (reported in the hearing as 15 feet rather than the expected 26 feet), limited sight distance, and concerns that industrial parcels across the street could later trigger heavier traffic. John Hitt and Kanan Allen described safety and sight‑distance problems; Betty Sherritt said an adjacent developer had an approved signal onto Callahan, reducing the likelihood of Keck Road widening but underscoring traffic concerns.
Planning staff and councilmembers discussed whether future industrial development across the street could be required to make road improvements, and whether the developer could be limited to three homes given current sanitary‑sewer constraints. Councilman Thomas said staff recommendation cited safety concerns and he would vote no; Councilmember Singh and others said neighborhood concerns had been addressed through site layout and binding limitations. Despite staff caution and multiple residents opposing, council approved the rezoning by voice vote.
Council asked staff to provide additional clarity for a possible second reading (if needed) and to follow up on traffic‑signal approvals and ownership of adjacent parcels. The developer and several councilmembers said standard conditions and subsequent permitting could address many practical issues raised by residents.
