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Knoxville BZA approves reduced driveway separation for 28‑lot townhome project
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance reducing required driveway separation from 20 feet to 5.3 feet for Lots 1 and 2 of a 28‑lot townhome infill; the developer said narrow fee‑simple lots leave no room for visitor parking and estimated 21 total variances may be needed for the full project.
The City of Knoxville Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday approved a variance allowing driveway widths to extend to the right‑of‑way and reduce the required separation between driveways from 20 feet to 5.3 feet for the first two lots of a proposed 28‑lot townhome development.
The action allows the developer to proceed with the modified plan for Lots 1 and 2 after staff told the board the change triggers a variance because the development no longer conforms to the driveway separation standard in the zoning code. City staff asked the applicant to demonstrate hardship under the standards in Article 16.3(e).
Developer Thomas Krajewski told the board the project is a fee‑simple townhome infill with narrow 25‑foot lots and two‑car garages. He said the concept plan approved by the Planning Commission provided 12.7‑foot spacing between driveways, which he said leaves no practical area for modern vehicles or guest parking. "Modern cars are approximately 14.7 feet long on average," Krajewski said; "Even a Mini Cooper, does not fit." He added the applicant chose to seek only one variance initially "to gauge the likelihood of approval for the remainder of the development," and said the full project may require an estimated 21 variances.
City engineering staff told the board that because the area at issue is a private right‑of‑way it must be treated like a public street under current subdivision regulations, which is why the driveway‑separation rule applies. Engineering also said the proposed change would not create drainage or side‑distance problems.
Board members split between concerns over code consistency and the practical realities the applicant described. One member said the conflict between an approved concept plan and the later modified development "needs to get some thought placed to it," and urged code review for narrow fee‑simple townhome lots. The chair moved to approve the variance on the basis that literal enforcement would create an unnecessary hardship given how the property is structured; the motion passed.
The variance applies only to Lots 1 and 2 as presented; the applicant may return to the board for additional relief on other lots. Appeals of BZA decisions may be filed with the Knoxville City Council as provided by the BZA rules.
