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Knoxville BZA upholds zoning administrator's religious-use finding for CareCuts, denies appeal
Summary
The City Board of Zoning Appeals denied an appeal challenging a zoning administrator's determination that CareCuts' services at 5200 Clinton Highway qualify as a religious land use protected under federal and state law, ruling the board's role is to uphold or overturn that administrative determination rather than grant special-use approvals.
The Knoxville Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday denied an appeal of the zoning administrator's decision that CareCuts' proposed services at 5200 Clinton Highway qualify as a religious land use and are entitled to protections under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and the Tennessee Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Chair Amy Sherrill called the matter after staff summarized the appeal and noted both the zoning administrator and the city attorney would be available to address federal and state law. Appellant David Hamilton, an attorney representing nearby property interests, argued the zoning administrator had no authority to treat the request as a religious exemption while a separate special-use application…
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