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Commission denies Knox County plan amendment after neighbor opposition on Bakertown Road
Summary
The Knox County Commission voted to deny a proposed comprehensive‑plan amendment for a five‑acre parcel on Bakertown Road after residents testified that the change would extend commercial development into a residential area.
The Knox County Commission on March 16 denied a request to amend the county comprehensive plan for a five‑acre tract at 3320 Bakertown Road from Suburban Residential (SR) to Suburban Mix Residential (SMR) after neighbors voiced opposition.
Applicant James Steener said the family intends to sell the inherited property and that rezoning would allow a future investor to seek commercial opportunities. Neighbor Alvin Austin, who said he has lived nearby since 1984, urged the commission to preserve the residential character and asked, “Where is the commercial property and developments like this going to stop?” Austin said most immediate neighbors — many elderly — oppose the change.
Commission discussion focused on corridor planning and whether the parcel sits in an area appropriate for mixed commercial uses. Commissioner Frasier noted the parcel’s adjacency and the character of nearby residential lots; Commissioner Hill said he shared neighbors’ concerns and moved to deny the amendment. The motion to decline the plan amendment carried on the commission floor.
What this means: denial of the plan amendment leaves the property’s current comprehensive‑plan designation in place, limiting the range of future zoning applications compatible with the SR designation. The applicant may pursue other options but did not receive a comp‑plan change at this meeting.
The meeting then moved on to other items on the zoning docket.
