Knoxville Board of Adjustment tables homeowners’ variance for Sunrise Drive garage addition

The City of Knoxville Board of Adjustment on March 11, 2026, voted to table a variance request from Wayne and Karol Little that would allow a 24'x28' garage addition to extend two feet into the corner side yard at 1301 Sunrise Drive.

Nathan Parch, Planning & Zoning Administrator, told commissioners the proposed addition is intended to expand garage space adjacent to the existing two‑car attached garage and would reduce the corner side yard along W Larson Street from 15 feet to 13 feet. Parch said steep timbered slope on the northeast portion of the lot, an existing 24'x24' accessory building behind the home, and the lot configuration limit where additional garage space can be built.

The proposal would provide a standard 24' garage width that would require a two‑foot encroachment; the owners said reducing the width to 22' was not preferred. Parch also noted the side of the house facing W Larson Street sits 37 feet from the sidewalk and that notices were mailed to 12 surrounding property owners; no responses were received before the meeting.

Commissioner Deborah Tupper raised a safety concern, saying the board should consider whether the two‑foot encroachment could impair motorists’ or pedestrians’ sightlines at the nearby intersection. Chair Linda Hicks asked whether alternate locations or a reduced width had been considered. Several commissioners said they were unfamiliar with the property and requested a site visit before taking final action.

Commissioner Geoff Wheelock moved to table the request for further consideration; Deborah Tupper seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Hicks, Tupper and Wheelock voting yes and Tara Gordon voting no; Jerry Jones was absent.

The board did not set a specific date for reconsideration; the matter will return for further review at a future meeting.