Knox County approves PR plan for Millardtown Pike after debate over conditions and tree preservation

The Knox County Zoning Commission approved a planned-residential (PR) rezoning for 8007 Millardtown Pike that allows up to 2 dwelling units per acre, a move the commission said aligns with the county’s rural-conservation and suburban-residential guidance while preserving key site features.

Applicant Stephen (Stefan) Clare said the concept plan uses about 9.5 acres and would yield roughly 43 units while keeping development under the county’s 50% rural-conservation threshold and avoiding hillside protection areas. “We're currently proposing 2 units an acre for a total of 43 units,” Clare said, adding that much of the ridge and wooded area would remain undisturbed.

Kevin Murphy, president of the Knox Community Planning Alliance, urged commissioners to attach specific conditions to rezoning approvals rather than defer details to future development-plan reviews. Murphy recommended graded measures, formal open-space management plans, stronger neighborhood connectivity standards and enforceable tree-preservation requirements, arguing that planning commissioners and staff historically apply policies conservatively unless boards mandate specifics at rezoning.

The developer’s representative responded that the concept plan preserves the primary ridge and limits grading, includes sidewalks to connect to nearby commercial nodes, and leaves substantial tree cover in place. Commissioners debated whether rezoning should be limited to land-use appropriateness or used to impose site-specific 'shall' conditions. Commissioner Jay cautioned the body to focus on the zoning step — whether PR at two units per acre is appropriate — and not to conflate rezoning with later plan details. Others, including Commissioner Frasier, urged stronger follow-up and community engagement.

After discussion, the commission voted to approve the PR rezoning subject to the planning commission’s recommended condition(s). Commissioners cited the applicant’s concept plan, the proposal’s conformity with place-type guidance, and commitments to preserve ridge and tree cover.

The action allows the applicant to proceed to development-plan and engineering review, where Murphy and others said they will press for enforceable measures on grading, open-space management and tree preservation.