Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals approves multiple variances, adopts 3‑minute public‑comment rule

At its March 2026 meeting, the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals approved several zoning variances affecting residential setbacks, lot intensity and zoning boundaries and adopted a uniform three‑minute public‑comment procedure for agenda items. The board also withdrew one item and deferred another after staff found no variance was needed or requested additional review.

The board read into the record its authority under the Tennessee Code and the Knox County Zoning Ordinance (Sec. 6.60) and reminded participants that the burden to demonstrate the ordinance criteria for a variance rests with the applicant. Chair Paul Huff opened the meeting by reviewing voting rules and hearing procedures and Law Director Mike Myers Morton administered the oath to those who testified.

Votes at a glance: item 4A (4540 Allen Springs Lane, applicant Peter Fzuk) — front yard setback amended to a 20‑ft to 13‑ft variance and approved; item 4B (330 N. Cedar Bluff Rd., represented by Ben Jenkins for Blake McDavid) — side‑setback reduced from 50 ft to 40 ft, approved; item 4C (7307 Old Clinton Pike, applicant Zayn Fair) — RB zoning boundary extended to rear property line to allow an accessory residential structure, approved; item 4D (1801 Wayland Road, appeal of building permit) — appellant absent, item removed from the agenda and permit may proceed; items 4H & 4I (two Hickory Meadows Drive lots, requested by Brian Stevens / Ball Homes) — front yard setbacks reduced to 10 ft to permit a required connection supported by EPW, approved; item 4J (128 Barnes Lane, Steven Ward) — lot‑intensity waiver approved; item 5A (11452 Couch Mill Road, applicant Eduardo Adame/Adamame) — front yard setback reduced from 35 ft to 12 ft, approved following contested testimony.

The board unanimously adopted a standardized public‑comment procedure for agenda items that limits each speaker to three minutes and directs staff to attempt fair representation of opposing viewpoints. A staff‑initiated agenda correction led to the withdrawal and refund of item 4F (3236 George/Georgia Light Road). Several motions were carried by voice vote; the transcript records assent by “I” rather than a roll‑call tally.

Several approvals were explicitly justified by physical site conditions or prior zoning/annexation changes. For 4A and 5A, applicants and staff cited steep slopes and soil/septic constraints; for 4B staff explained a peripheral 50‑ft requirement resulted from earlier city annexation and boundary changes. Engineering/public‑works told the board that two Hickory Meadows variances were supported to allow a life‑safety road connection.

The meeting closed with routine motions to remove items and refund fees where staff had determined a variance was unnecessary or where applicants were advised to pursue rezoning through the planning commission. The board adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Meeting next steps: applicants approved for variances should follow any stated permit conditions (for example, the approved porch on 4A must remain unenclosed), and items removed for planning should be refiled through county planning if the applicant seeks rezoning.