Image Credit: Knoxville Community Media / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Knox County Commissioners opted to stick with current zoning plans in South Knox County, choosing not to rezone them as proposed by one new Commissioner.
Newly sworn-in Commissioner Andy Fox asked the group to change zoning plans for five parcels of land in South Knox County, despite the fact that the commission just made the decision to allow new developments on the properties back in the summer.
This request is somewhat unconventional, as commissioners typically do not request the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission to reassess zoning rules; such requests usually originate from property owners.
Much of the argument that took place in Monday’s meeting was focused on the rights of commissioners to make such decisions that go against the wishes and rights of the propekimrty owners.
“I do not think that it is right for any legislative body to have the authority to rezone property without the owners’ consent, even if I disagree with…every outcome of this body’s ruling on the density of all the properties,” said Commissioner At-Large Kim Frazier.
Commissioner Damon Rawls also expressed concern with the precedent that would be set by changing the development plans.
“If we can unravel projects easily, we don’t look stable to folks coming here,” Rawls said.
Four of the five parcels involved are situated within a proposed development zone between Chapman Highway and Sevierville Pike, owned by Thunder Mountain Properties. The fifth parcel is located on Tipton Station Road.
Property owners plan to develop Bower Field Park and nearby properties into businesses and subdivisions. The development plan was opposed by area residents who wanted to preserve the rural feel of the area.
There has also been opposition about the removing of the playground and ballfields at Bower Field Park. Developers agreed to give Knox County 107 acres of land nearby to create replacement fields and stated that they will not begin construction of the new development until the new ballfield has been completed.