August 14, 2025
Planning Commission meeting
Planning Commission meeting
Public Comments
16 Comments for
Alexis
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Alexis (37920), July 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The additional houses will cause so much more congestion to our dead end street that is already dangerous turning out into Chapman Highway on Alexis (37920), July 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Patricia
37920
37920
7-A-25-OB
Patricia (37920), July 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The siteâs footprint should be moved north towards Waterfront Dr. The green area should be on the Phillips Ave. side. As the diagram shows there are no trees on Phillips just a concrete drive. As with Foggy Bottoms Flats the garages will not be used. TOO SMALL!Patricia (37920), July 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Removing Unit 1 completely, only five units would add line of sight on Phillips with trees and green space. There is little room between this site and Foggy Bottoms Flats for Phillips to handle any more parking, some park illegally on the corners. We have lost all of the public parking at Suttree and Langford due to over building.
Note, Foggy bottoms was to have trees and there are none. Storm runoff will be an issue just as Hensonâs development on Phillips has. Not sure why an extra sidewalk is added to the plan as the city will be adding walking space too.
Nicholas
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Nicholas (37920), July 8, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I am typing this comment today to formally object to this proposal. While I have only lived here for 9 years, compared to some of my neighbors, I know experienced enough to know that tearing up this hillside to build those houses on that steep of a grade can't be good. Please see my attached document for more details. Nicholas (37920), July 8, 2025 at 1:00 AM
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250708010003.pdf
Patricia
37920
37920
7-A-25-OB
Patricia (37920), July 10, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Please deny request for driveway at the location requested.Patricia (37920), July 10, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Looking more closely at the first overhead diagram showing the lot and the Foggy Bottoms Flats there is no safe distance or room for a driveway on Phillips Ave.
Foggy Bottoms driveway is located on Foggy Bottoms street crossing ROW. The drainage ditch on Foggy Bottom street will disappear when the road construction for the Round-About is completed. So that will be the best option for a driveway to go. Too much density on one lot.
The majority of the properties (lots) are and were single family on Phillips Ave and the house that was there was a single family home. Once the house was torn down SW2 FBC defined where the entrance location to be.
Nancy
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Nancy (37920), July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
One issue that particularly impacts my property is that 2 houses are shown in the proposal directly behind my house. Because of the contour of the property, that is the most narrow point on the entire land. In addition, the slope directly behind my property is 28%. The distance between the top of Locust Hill to the back of my property line is 178 feet and drops at least 50 feet to the back of my property. The height at the top of Locust behind my house is 1050 feet. So the slope is 50/178=.28 (28%). This calculation was based on KGIS mapping and conducted by a UT geographer and mapping expert for me. It seems that the slope calculations should be done for each of the lots, not for the entire development parcel. In addition, the houses are most compressed in the 2 lots directly behind my house.Nancy (37920), July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250715192712.pdf
Ann
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Ann (37920), June 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I live in Lake Forest and turning left off Chapman Highway is dangerous but not as dangerous as Red Bud Road. Locust Hill is just before Red Bud and we do NOT need additional driveways or increased traffic on Locust Hill. Traffic studies should be done to see the impact of a new subdivision on Chapman Highway. Also, I am told there is a major cave system under this potential development. I am concerned that this steep and forested piece of land will be demolished to create new homes and thus stop one of the corridors of the Urban Wilderness. I am very concerned that developers use huge equipment to cut down all the trees on this type of property which could be developed for one or two houses and not a subdivision. Please consider the Hillside Protection area and the beauty of the surrounding neighborhoods. South Knoxville has more trees than other areas of town and we are proud of that. Please do not allow destruction of our forests.Ann (37920), June 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Concerned
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Concerned (37920), June 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I am writing as a resident of Locust Hill Lane to formally object to the proposed development detailed in Case 7-SB-25-C. While I recognize the need for housing in our community, this specific site raises major red flags from a public safety and environmental standpoint that I believe must not be overlooked. Please see the attached rationale. Thank you. Concerned (37920), June 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250624172435.pdf
Make it
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Make it (37920), June 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Prioritizing Investment Property Over Community NeedsMake it (37920), June 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Perhaps most troubling is that the proposed homes are not intended to be affordable housing for local families or first-time buyers. These units are being marketed as investment properties, likely short-term rentals or absentee-owned income-generating assets. This does nothing to alleviate our communitys acute shortage of affordable, owner-occupied housing. In fact, it exacerbates displacement pressures and undermines the stability of our neighborhood.
Tiana
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Tiana (37920), June 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
A steep-slope development is planned on parcel 123FA003,Âone of the highest, most unstable peaks along Chapman Highway. The narrow access road is already eroding, unsafe for EMS, and unfit for more traffic or housing. The developer began clearing land without permits, cutting old-growth trees, and misleading neighbors about his intentions.Tiana (37920), June 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This is not affordable housing, its a high-risk project that endangers homes, wildlife, and Knoxvilles greenbelt.
Read the full letter and join us in demanding responsible, transparent planning
Your voice matters. Lets protect our hill
- Tiana Winter
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250624193820.pdf
Nancy
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Nancy (37920), June 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Please see attached PDF for full statementNancy (37920), June 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I live at 5304 Chapman Highway and would be significantly impacted by the proposal to build a development behind my house. I have lived here since 1979 and bought my house, in part, because of the wooded area. This woods is wildlife corridor, connecting some parts of the urban wilderness to East Red Bud.
This area is a steep hillside between Locust Hill Lane and 3 houses, such as mine, directly on Chapman Hwy. The proposals scope of 9 houses significantly enlarges density on this strip of land. The entire scope seems far greater than what this hillside can sustain.
There are two proposed houses very close to the area behind my house.
I am concerned also about trees being cut and the impact on erosion of the steep hill, which will impact my property.
This area would certainly have been an area that could have been a protected wildlife and wooded area, rather than inserting 9 houses on potentially unstable land. I urge the MPC to reconsider the need to alter this wildlife and wooded area of Knoxville.
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250625180849.pdf
Gene
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Gene (37920), June 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The attached file is our strong objection to the development plan for Locust Hill Lane.Gene (37920), June 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250626083507.pdf
Responsible dev.
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Responsible dev. (37920), June 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
In 3 years this hillside has experienced at least 20 fallen very mature trees which shows active erosion and instabilityResponsible dev. (37920), June 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Several vehicles have driven off edge resulting in needing pulled off hillside
A firetruck had to back all the way down and turnout in genes driveway
A streetside parked vehicle was struck by another vehicle.
Multiple kub outages from fallen lines
Tracy
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Tracy (37920), June 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Please see attached about the concerns of this proposed development. Tracy (37920), June 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20250627135144.pdf
Candace
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Candace (37920), June 28, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I am worried about the trees being taken down and the road being busy. Some houses would be okay but 9 is too many. Candace (37920), June 28, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Dede
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Dede (37920), June 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I write to ask you to please not approve the Subdivision Concept Plan 7-SB-25-C to be located at the corner of Locust and Chapman Highway. I am a Colonial Village resident and have been for nearly 30 years. I travel this particular section of Chapman Highway on a daily basis. I believe this to be one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in the whole City of Knoxville. There have been countless wrecks and even fatalities. This should be considered before allowing a developer to build more homes right in middle of this very dangerous area. Its literally a matter of life and death. Thank you for your kind consideration.Dede (37920), June 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Jaylene
37920
37920
7-SB-25-C
Jaylene (37920), June 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Id like to voice my extreme concern over the development on my very steep and narrow street Locust Hill Lane. My elderly mother lives with me and sadly calling for medical help is common. Its very difficult for emergency vehicles to turn around at our dead end. Im concerned with several more vehicles this will only worsen. Id also ask the consideration of the current setback if 25 feet to be increased to 40. There is no room for vehicles and these houses are most likely going to be vacation rentals for UT games bringing guests who have no concern for actual residents. The noise pollution will be horrendous with all the trees set to be cut down. We will need a stoplight to accommodate all the vehicles coming and going for safety. Im asking for a decrease in the houses being built fine to three. This is a horrible thing we are faced with. Thank you on your consideration. Jaylene (37920), June 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM