A 225-unit luxury apartment complex planned for the prominent Kerbela Shriners site was narrowly rejected after months of debate.
In a 5-4 vote on Oct. 13, the Knoxville City Council sided with a community group who challenged the project.
Alabama-based CR Endeavors' proposal included seven deviations from South Waterfront code, which controls the size and scope of developments along the waterfront. The developer had hoped the city would allow it to build a bigger building on the steep hillside than the code typically allows.
Councilmember Karyn Adams, who represents the South Knoxville neighborhood, said just one deviation is grounds for denial. It was too much in her mind after when seven were approved in a 7-6 by the Planning Commission in August.
The appeal was filed by seven members of the South Waterfront Advisory and Advocacy Group, which guided the creation of the South Waterfront Vision Plan, adopted in 2007 to outline a growth plan for the area.
"I support the community group and the South Waterfront Vision Plan and its form-based code before the excitement or enthusiasm for any promised project," Adams said at the Oct. 13 City Council meeting.
CR Endeavors' departures from the code include a lot size almost double the allowed acreage. Usually, apartment developments along the waterfront are broken up into multiple buildings with public streets or walkways throughout.
SWAAG, the advisory group, pushed CR Endeavors to create public walkways. In return, the developers added a north-south pedestrian tunnel through the property and an east-west walkway connecting to the future SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk.
When asked at the meeting why the developers strayed so far from South Waterfront code, CR Endeavors COO Ryan Robertson said the steep hilltop topography would always make the project a unique case.
"A strict interpretation of the code is hard to achieve on this site," he said. "We accept the code. We appreciate the code."
Because CR Endeavors could not adhere to the guidelines, the developers met with Adams, community members and SWAAG throughout the process to address concerns. During the meeting, Robertson outlined every change made from the original proposal, including incorporating the iconic JFG Coffee sign and connecting pedestrians to the Gay Street Bridge.
After the Knoxville City Council approved the appeal, CR Endeavors has three options:
- Abandon the project
- Take the matter to Knox County Chancery Court
- Restart the approval process with different plans
Vice Mayor Lynne Fugate, Denzel Grant, Debbie Helsley and Doug Lloyd were the four council members who voted in favor of the apartments.
The Kerbela Shriners, who still own the land at 315 Kerbela Ave., didn't go with the highest bidder when fielding proposals. The only other offers they received were for student housing, Helsley said, and the 55-and-over age restriction in CR Endeavors' proposal appealed to them.
At the Oct. 13 meeting, Kerbela Shriners members filled the assembly room, wearing their iconic red fezzes. Those who opposed the project wore green ribbon tied around their arms.
Among the petitioners opposing the project was former Councilmember Tommy Smith. A statement read on Smith's behalf at the meeting urged city officials to be patient when deciding how to develop the site.
"It's OK to wait for something to align with the South Waterfront code," he said. "That time will come."
Sophia Tiedge is the growth and transformation reporter for Knox News. Email: sophia.tiedge@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville City Council narrowly overturns Kerbela apartments in South Knox
