A local developer's offer to cut an East Knox County residential project from 65 homes to 26 wasn't enough to sway the Knox County Commission, which overturned a rezoning approval for a Strawberry Plains Pike subdivision across from Carter Elementary School.
Neighbors of the proposed subdivision made a last-ditch appeal Oct. 19 to county commissioners, who voted 7-4 to reverse the July 9 rezoning approved by the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission and stop the project from moving forward.
The seven commissioners who voted against the subdivision, proposed by Joe Davis of Axiom Properties, sided with neighbors who raised environmental concerns, including the potential to disturb wetlands or discover sinkholes during construction.
Commissioner
Adam Thompson, who represents this portion of East Knox County, said the presence of an adjacent historic cemetery, hillside protections, two streams and stormwater concerns make the land unsuitable for a subdivision.
Justin Cofer, another commissioner who opposed the project, said the backlash was hard to ignore, despite the developer's efforts to amend the proposal.
The denial came after months of public comments, critical Facebook posts, a petition and in-person meetings between neighbors and Knox County officials. After rezoning was approved July 9, the project was delayed for two months to allow the developer time to meet with residents.
"Every email, phone call and text message was on my heart when I spoke in opposition last night," Cofer told Knox News. "Behind each message was someone who cared deeply about their home and their community's future."
Davis, a longtime East Knox County resident who raised his children in the area, said the goal of his proposed development was to provide affordable homes for first-time buyers.
The East Knox County Community Plan has identified Strawberry Plains Pike as a corridor "intended for more intense development" because of its proximity to Interstate 40 and convenience for commuters.
Universal at Strawberry Plains, an apartment complex down the street, opened within the last year, and the Hunter's Woods neighborhood is nearly complete with all three phases of construction. Habitat for Humanity also started construction on a 74-home subdivision in Strawberry Plains.
If Davis wants to proceed with his project, he'll have to wait a year to submit a new request for rezoning. Under the property's current agricultural zoning, Davis could still build 13 homes on the property.
Sophia Tiedge is the Growth and Transformation reporter for Knox News. Email: sophia.tiedge@knoxnews.com
Support strong journalism and unlock premium perks at subscribe.knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 65 homes became 26. Commissioners still rejected this East Knox subdivision
