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Council approves closure of portion of East Oklahoma Avenue after brief neighbor comment
Summary
Council voted to close the southern portion of East Oklahoma Avenue adjacent to Glenn Oak Missionary Baptist Church and convey property by quitclaim deed; a nearby homeowner raised concerns about access and suggested an easement to preserve playground use.
The Knoxville City Council approved an ordinance on June 23 to close a southern portion of East Oklahoma Avenue adjacent to Glenn Oak Missionary Baptist Church and authorized quickclaim deeds to adjacent property owners.
Jesse Ursery, a homeowner directly across from the church, spoke in opposition at the podium and asked whether the closure would privatize any parking or extend into private property. After his questions, Ursery said he supported the proposal once staff clarified the conveyance would extend only to the existing curb and leave the public right-of-way intact, and he suggested the city consider an easement to preserve playground access for the public. Councilmember Dardan replied that the condition "is going to stay exactly as it stands today" and confirmed space remains for a future sidewalk.
The ordinance passed by voice vote following the public comment.
The action allows the city to transfer the specified right-of-way adjacent to the church to neighboring property owners while maintaining remaining public access elements noted by council members.
