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Knox County commissioners approve RA rezoning for Bell Road property after resident warnings about traffic
Summary
The commission approved rezoning at 7217 Bell Road to allow seven homes on third-acre lots, passing the motion 6–5 after resident Randy Cunningham urged commissioners to consider safety and traffic on the narrow rural road.
Commissioners narrowly approved a rezoning that will allow seven new homes on a 2.4-acre tract at 7217 Bell Road, passing the motion 6–5 after tense public comment about local traffic and safety.
The applicant, Kevin Dean, said his firm plans to build seven homes averaging about 1,400 square feet on roughly one-third-acre lots and that the proposal fits the county’s suburban residential guidance. “We're trying to fulfill a need,” Dean said, describing 37 years of building experience and noting the houses would be modest, single-family homes.
Opposing the request, resident Randy Cunningham told commissioners Bell Road is a narrow, rural corridor with about 246 homes and limited shoulder space. “You can't walk on that road or ride a bike on it anymore. You'd get killed,” Cunningham said, pressing officials to consider safety and existing traffic cut-through patterns.
Planning staff and commissioners discussed technical limits and options. Director Snowden reported an average pavement width of about 20 feet—two 10-foot lanes—and noted RA zoning requires a 10,000-square-foot minimum lot size, which would allow the developer to subdivide under the RA standard. Commissioners also debated whether a PR (planned residential) zone would be a better vehicle to set density and conditions.
Commissioner Jackson offered the substitute motion to approve the RA rezoning as presented; Commissioner Hill seconded. The commission recorded a roll-call vote and reported the motion carried 6–5. Commissioners who spoke in favor cited consistency with the county growth plan and existing nearby suburban development; those opposed emphasized neighborhood character, road capacity, and the effect of higher density on long-standing rural properties.
The commission’s action grants the rezoning; follow-on steps (subdivision platting, engineering reviews, and permitting) will determine final lot layout and roadway mitigation. The applicant and commissioners discussed options to meet neighbors and to refine access and drainage details in later stages.
The commission moved on to subsequent agenda items after the vote.
