Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bza Votes July 2026 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Knox County BZA: one denial, several waivers and multiple deferrals after July meeting
Summary
At its July 2026 meeting the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals denied one setback appeal, approved three variances, and deferred three other requests for more engineering or information. The board also asked staff to return with zoning-language changes for attached housing setbacks.
The Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday handled a slate of variance requests, denying one application, approving three and deferring three others pending engineering or additional documentation.
The board denied an application for 9315 Sway Branch Lane after concluding the applicant had not demonstrated he had exhausted options to avoid relief. Chair Paul Huff said the board treats variances as “the absolute option of last resort.” The denial was recorded by voice vote (7 yeas, 0 nays).
The board approved a periphery-boundary waiver for 331 Granville Connor Road (from 15 feet to 9 feet), a lot-intensity waiver at 325 East Brushy Valley Drive (from 2.15 to 1.65 acres to allow two existing dwellings), and a periphery reduction for 9615 Levins Way (35 ft to 30 ft). Staff told the board that in at least one case the current zoning interpretation means the periphery would not apply if the site were submitted today; the board approved the waiver after that explanation.
The board deferred three items: a variance request for two accessory structures in a mapped floodplain at 8545 Creek Valley Lane; a temporary-occupancy/storage waiver tied to an RV at a Ridgeview Road address; and a front-yard setback request at 4835 McLeod Road. Deferrals were to allow applicants to obtain engineering analyses, meet with floodplain staff, or develop a plan for a permanent dwelling. In the floodplain case, the board specifically asked the applicant to consult with Drew Thurman, Knox County’s floodplain manager, and to provide elevation or no-rise analysis.
Law director Mike Moyers told the board that zoning code does not contain a written “medical hardship” exception for temporary variances, although past boards had granted time-limited relief in exceptional circumstances; any ad-hoc approach could be challenged in court, Moyers cautioned.
The board directed engineering and codes to return with language to fix side-yard setback language in the CA/CB zones to permit 0-foot side-yard where units are attached. The board set return dates and approved several routine procedural items, then adjourned.
Votes at a glance - 9315 Sway Branch Lane (periphery & front-yard setbacks): DENIED (voice vote; 7–0) - 331 Granville Connor Road (periphery to 9 ft): APPROVED - 325 East Brushy Valley Drive (lot intensity to 1.65 acres): APPROVED - 8545 Creek Valley Lane (accessory structures in floodplain): DEFERRED 60 days (applicant to work with floodplain manager/engineer) - 0 Ridgeview Road (RV storage/occupancy): DEFERRED 60 days; enforcement deferred for 60 days while applicants pursue options - 4835 McLeod Road (front-yard setback): DEFERRED 30 days - 9615 Levins Way (periphery to 30 ft): APPROVED
The board generally sought technical documentation before granting variances that could affect floodplain compliance or downstream flood risk, and encouraged applicants to work with county staff during the deferral period.
