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Knox County BZA approves multiple variances and grants appeal on engineering penalty
Summary
At its April meeting the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals approved several variances (setback and lot‑intensity waivers) and granted an appeal from a property owner who had been assessed an administrative 'no‑response' penalty; the board directed administrative follow‑up to resolve any remaining civil penalty.
The Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a string of routine variances and granted an administrative appeal after hearing staff updates and testimony.
Brian Mayo asked the board to waive a peripheral boundary setback at 1600 Land Way, explaining topography and existing fencing made the proposed 16‑foot addition effectively invisible from the adjoining road; the board approved the reduction from 35 feet to 23 feet.
Jacob Msina requested a waiver of lot intensity from 1 acre to 0.9 acres for proposed lots 5BR1 and 5BR2. Msina said an easement reduced the net buildable area and the board voted to approve the waiver, with members noting the easement created the nonconforming condition.
Wallace McClure appealed a civil penalty assessed by Engineering and Public Works for work near a stream buffer. McClure acknowledged an administrative mistake and described corrective actions he had taken (removal of debris, installation of silt fences and submission of a corrective action plan). County counsel and staff reviewed ordinance timelines and procedures and the board concluded the administrative decision had been incorrectly interpreted; the board voted to grant the appeal of the 'no‑response' penalty and directed McClure to meet with engineering staff to resolve the remaining civil penalty amount administratively. "I want to apologize to the commission ... it's on my part," McClure told the panel.
Joey Stass of Johnson Architecture sought a side‑yard setback reduction at 10824 Westland Drive to allow a single‑story garage addition; staff reported no opposition and the waiver was approved.
What the board voted: a series of variances were approved and the appeal of the administrative interpretation was granted; one follow‑up administrative meeting with engineering staff was requested to address the civil penalty amount.
What happens next: staff will schedule the administrative meeting between McClure and engineering staff; property owners who received variances may proceed subject to any permit conditions and standard inspections.
