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Planning commission approves Pickens Gap rezoning at 1 unit per acre after residents cite safety and drainage concerns
Summary
After lengthy public comment and debate, the Planning Commission approved a planned-residential rezoning at 1 dwelling unit per acre for an 84.44-acre Pickens Gap site, retaining hillside protection and directing developers to address access and stormwater issues. Neighbors had urged a lower density and warned of traffic and environmental risks.
The Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission on May 9 approved a planned-residential zoning change for an 84.44-acre property off Pickens Gap Road, setting a limit of one dwelling unit per acre and retaining a hillside protection designation after extended public testimony. The developer, Storm Schuler of Heartland Development, had sought up to 2 units per acre; commissioners voted to adopt staff’s lower-density recommendation following concerns from dozens of neighbors about traffic, drainage and the rural character of the area.
Residents packed the meeting to oppose the higher-density request. “84 acres, 168 units is what they requested,” resident Darren Maroney said, arguing the clustering proposed by the developer would “change the character of the rural space”…
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