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Board approves several setback and lot‑size variances across Knox County
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Summary
The Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals granted multiple variances including a peripheral setback reduction on Leland Way, a lot‑intensity waiver for Long Hollow Road, and a side‑yard reduction on Westland Drive after applicants cited topography, easement constraints, and legacy zoning; all motions passed by voice vote.
At its April meeting the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a series of variances for homeowners who told the board the properties face topographic, easement or legacy‑zoning constraints.
The board approved a request from Brian Mayo to reduce a peripheral boundary setback on 1600 Leland Way from 35 feet to 23 feet. Mayo said the lot’s topography and existing fencing limited visibility and that the proposed addition would not be visible from Duncan Avenue. Paul Huff, the board chair, noted that the peripheral setback follows the road and that without the peripheral designation a variance would not be necessary; the motion to approve carried.
The board also approved a waiver of lot intensity for Jacob Messina at 3127 Long Hollow Road, lowering the 1‑acre requirement to 0.9 acres for two proposed lots after the applicant explained that an easement reduced the usable area. Board members said the easement was not the applicant’s fault and asked staff to seek guidance from consultants about administrative handling of similar easement cases.
Finally, the board granted a reduction in side‑yard setback from 10 feet to 5 feet for a property at 10824 Westland Drive after Joey Stass of Johnson Architecture explained the parcel’s agricultural zoning is a legacy condition and that neighboring parcels are built to planned‑residential standards. A letter from the adjacent owner Michael Orr was cited in support.
Why it matters: The approvals resolve localized buildability issues for homeowners and clarify the board’s willingness to grant variances where physical constraints or legacy map artifacts make strict compliance infeasible. Board members asked staff to consider whether easements should be excluded from lot‑size calculations in future administrative guidance.
What’s next: Staff will follow up with the applicant teams and with planning consultants on whether administrative remedies could reduce need for similar variances in the future.
