May 8, 2025
Planning Commission meeting
Planning Commission meeting
Public Comments
43 Comments for 11-F-21-RZ and 11-B-21-SP
Nicole
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Nicole (37920), October 6, 2021 at 9:01 AM
Opposed on multiple fronts, first being the road structure will not handle an extra 250-500 cars a day, with multiple accidents as is now. Second the charm and character of the rual farm land should be preserved and this land was originally zoned this way to preserve. The prior owners leveraged this for decreased tax liability to only sale with intent of development. Robert
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Robert (37920), October 31, 2021 at 10:05 AM
I do not think that all this additional housing is positive move for Knoxville..It poses health and safety issues that out way any personal advances..Bradley
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Bradley (37920), November 1, 2021 at 10:28 AM
Please see attached petition for 150 plus citizens against this rezoning request.View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211101102809.pdf
Bradley
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Bradley (37920), November 1, 2021 at 10:36 AM
Please see the attached letter below against the rezoning of 8802 Old Sevierville PikeView Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211101103640.pdf
Amanda
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Amanda (37920), November 1, 2021 at 11:03 AM
Please see attached letterView Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211101110327.pdf
Margie
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Margie (37920), November 1, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Wholesale, indiscriminate clearing of hundreds trees and illegal grading on site have already severely impacted site drainage, caused excessive erosion and displaced a large amount of wildlife. Once beautiful and productive farmland is now a tangle of debris, uprooted trees and raw, eroding soil—a complete eyesore caused by an utter disregard of good land management practices. The proposed rezoning to allow for 227 houses on quarter-acre lots will destroy the rural character of this neighborhood. Associated traffic on our narrow, curving rural roads would result in even more hazardous driving conditions than currently exist. Furthermore, the current request to rezone 63+ acres is only the first of several upcoming requests to rezone a total of nearly 400 acres on contiguous parcels owned by Thunder Mountain—the petitioners for rezoning—who have stated their intention to develop all of their holdings in the near future. Per Knox County's own Growth Policy Plan, the land is OUTSIDE of the Planned Growth Area; it is designated Rural Area in the Growth Policy Plan. I am completely opposed to the rezoning of this site and I respectfully request the proposed rezoning be denied.Brittany
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Brittany (37920), November 1, 2021 at 7:24 PM
I'm really excited about this development, I hope we can purchase a home!Bethany
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Bethany (37920), November 1, 2021 at 8:18 PM
This piece of land needs to stay as it is. Traffic on Chapman highway is dangerous enough without adding more traffic. It is also important for our wildlife in the area to maintain this land as their habitat. Matt
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Matt (37920), November 2, 2021 at 11:05 AM
I am totally against this planned rezoning and development. The roads are incapable of handling this increased amount of traffic. There are also issues with available capacity of current sanitary sewer. The wildlife in the area are being treated like the early Native Americans. It is a shame that those we elect to be our voice completely ignore the majority of the people. Would you want this development on Government Farm Road?karen
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karen (37920), November 2, 2021 at 1:23 PM
i understand the new owners are looking for quick money. there are sustainable future options for this property. i checked the existing creek system, which would be adversely affected by housing development. utilizing the creek system to a trout farm would give them a huge market as fish is in high demand as more byers are looking for local sources . developers ,city/county planners need to consider 100+ years down the road. Norman
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Norman (37920), November 2, 2021 at 9:46 PM
Worried about safety for my family. Traffic on Sevierville Pk and Chapman Hwy and surrounding roads can’t handle it. Schools are over crowded now! Wildlife will have nowhere to roam. It will bring the prices of surrounding houses way down. Dan
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Dan (37920), November 3, 2021 at 11:49 PM
The community is opposed to this rezoning. This is a rural area. 4 DU per acre is too dense.
Nature. There are concerns about the water shed, potential flooding and impacts to wild life.
Traffic. There is not a traffic light at Chapman Hwy. It would be irresponsible to allow this level of density without additional traffic control infrastructure.
Beauty. Spec house developments are abominations to the landscape. Knoxville can do better than generic suburban sprawl that enriches short term speculators at the expense of community.
Nature. There are concerns about the water shed, potential flooding and impacts to wild life.
Traffic. There is not a traffic light at Chapman Hwy. It would be irresponsible to allow this level of density without additional traffic control infrastructure.
Beauty. Spec house developments are abominations to the landscape. Knoxville can do better than generic suburban sprawl that enriches short term speculators at the expense of community.
Brittany
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Brittany (37920), November 15, 2021 at 7:16 PM
Our schools, our underfunded fire departments, our whacked out highway (where you already take your life in your hands on each run) do NOT need this. Cookie cutter boxes with 3 inches of yard are what they do in California, not East Tennessee. People are COMING from those places to escape such living. I get that jobs are arriving in the area (yay) and real estate is premium. I get that this is America and we value our right to grow businesses, including real estate, within certain limits of the law. However, I don't want to go from being capitalists to having consumer-driven communities where no value is put on preservation, scene, or space. IN THE LEAST, please don't allow four houses per acre. It's an eyesore. Who is gonna wanna come here if we scrape away every inch of good country to start yet another subdivision? More like... an overdivision. Ursula
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Ursula (37920), November 16, 2021 at 7:00 PM
An incredible overwhelming majority of the people in this community are opposed to rezoning this land. I moved here specifically for the rural setting, community, and wildlife. This wilderness is the EXACT reason that South Knox is desirable. This is something we actually advertise! It doesn't work if you become concrete suburbia, devoid of forests and wildlife. If this is approved, we can never go back. Rezoning would destroy everything South Knox stands for and just create another Hardin Valley nightmare. Please take note that people are already very willing to build homes here, following the existing agriculture zoning requirements, without disrupting the beauty and uniqueness that makes this place special. I know because I'm one of them, and I know many others actively trying to do the same. This area is also not included in the growth plan. As others have already mentioned, changing the zoning without the needed, extensive roadway infrastructure would be reckless and only lead to more deaths on Chapman highway.Donald
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Donald (37920), November 16, 2021 at 8:12 PM
The plan for the land you thinking of rezoning. Is far ahead of it's time. By at least 20 years..This area is not ready or do we want to be the next Florida or NC. With insufficient Police, Fire department and schools. The Community should of had much more notice than a few signs . A developer who has already done more unreversible damage to The land and me personally. They riped a 1/3 of my fence down along with a redbud tree Transplanted from my deceased mother's farm witch was on our land. Not letting us know allowing are 4 dogs to rome at will. This is just The start of the madness . The trespassing will Only get worse. Put a stop too this before it is to much for our roads ,schools Sheriff.and fire Department can handle. Concerned citizen.WANDA
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WANDA (37920), November 18, 2021 at 2:53 PM
Regarding the proposed development on Old Sevierville Pike and Dry Hollow, I am totally opposed to this development, First and foremost, the development will create a severe road hazard on Sevierville Pike. The road is a narrow, 2-lane road with curves and blind spots. People who live in the area know the existing hazards of the road and for the most part, drive accordingly. Adding 500-1200 more vehicles on this road will be a nightmare!. Where in the mind of Knox County government is concern for the safety of this community? And aside from the traffic and increased road hazard, does anyone not care that a community which had been here for over 100 years is facing complete demolition of life as we know it? AND, does anyone not care that the wildlife in this special place is in dire jeopardy of being completely destroyed as their habitat will be wiped out? Think about your neighborhood and if you would want such a development to destroy such a beautiful history. Greed may win the battle but it will not win the war! Cynthia
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Cynthia (37920), November 21, 2021 at 8:16 AM
My family and I have lived in this community since 1970. It is a wonderful, rural community and the woods and fields that make up the proposed development that is behind us has been the same since that time. It has been used for running cattle, horse shows, etc, and because of the huge cave and caverns located on the property, we thought it would always remain the same. Many of the children in the area played and explored all in the area. Please do not let Thunder Mountain ruin our community by bringing in a 450 house develop that will swallow up all of our wildlife and beauty. The view as you turn off Chapman Highway at Highland Cemetery has remained the same since I was a child and has always been a comfort when arriving home. Please consider all of the current residents and their homes they currently enjoy, as well as the small businesses & vote no on this rezoning.Angela
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Angela (37920), November 21, 2021 at 8:41 PM
I purchase my property during to it being a more rural, natural setting. I wanted a home that was more nature then urban, crowded and busy. I wanted to be able yo see the deer in the morning and evening, hear the birds sing during the day, be able yo open my windows and smell the fresh air. If I wanted to live where there were houses all around me, I would have purchased a home in or near the city. BUT I did not. Please do not allow Seviervill Pike to become just another housing development allow those of us that live here to enjoy South Knoxville for the reasons we moved here. Don't destroy our dreams for someone else's pocketbook.Briana
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Briana (37920), November 22, 2021 at 5:01 PM
I am writing to oppose this development. Sevierville Pike and other less-traveled roads in the area are already becoming overwhelmed by vehicle traffic. In 2019, traffic counts reported 1,084 vehicles on a section of Sevierville Pike near the intersection of Bays Mountain Road. The planned development would no doubt more than double this vehicle count. Additionally, construction will harm local waterways as well as disrupt wildlife corridors.Brenda
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Brenda (37920), November 22, 2021 at 7:36 PM
I would be very interested if there has been a study on how our roads are going to handle the additional traffic, We are jsut now finally beginning to see some improvement from the recent up grades, Now we are throwing all the hoses that are planned on Highland view , The houses 2-per acre on Old Sevierville pike. nxt they are planning townhouses directly on Chapman. Also would love to see what plans are being made for our Schools to handle the additional Children. New Hopewell is crowded with out buildings and been promise a new school for years , I feel so sad to lose yet another area that was home to deer, birds, even a bat cave that is just being bulldozed over. I know housing is needed and I am sure most area people would be receptive to less houses per acre leaving trees intact. But if you drive back you will see thousands of trees have pull cut already or bulldozed down. Lots of grade work is going on daily, Lora
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Lora (37920), November 22, 2021 at 8:19 PM
Please do not rezone this area as residential. The resulting traffic flow and disruption to area wildlife would be disastrous. Please help us preserve this land in its natural state. Blake
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Blake (37920), November 23, 2021 at 8:30 AM
My wife and I relocated here four years ago. One of the reasons we moved was because we could literally see the developers' bulldozers from our kitchen window where we used to see farmland. We bought our house because of the natural woods all around, even though it's close to conveniences. We are beyond disappointed to hear plans to clear so much of the woods. Our property is directly adjacent to the subject property. Please do not allow this to destroy this community. Besides our personal concerns, the traffic, infrastructure and environmental issues are huge. Michael
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Michael (37920), November 23, 2021 at 12:25 PM
This proposed plan is, and will continue, to destroy the rural feel of the rural setting that people moved here for. They've already demolished so many of the wildlife corridors that makes this area beautiful and they plan to demolish much more. The traffic problems alone that this development will cause is a concern for not only the Dry Hollow Community, but for the Seymour and South Knoxville community as a whole. These hillsides are supposed to be protected, but I don't see this developer abiding by any of hillside protection ordinances. Also according to the South Knoxville Growth Plan, this area was meant to stay rural. This type of growth should remain closer to the city. Misty
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Misty (37920), November 23, 2021 at 6:26 PM
PLEASE DON'T REZONE! I was born and raised in South Knoxville and this commercialization is destroying the best parts. Part of what makes this area so great is that it's rural. The Hobbit Village has taken away from this community. Please don't take anymore. This will destroy our community. Bradley
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Bradley (37920), November 24, 2021 at 3:37 PM
Please see attached petition of 450 people against the rezoning and growth sector plan changes for case 11-f-21-rzView Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211124153744.pdf
Brandy
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Brandy (37920), November 24, 2021 at 7:41 PM
Please stop this rezone! Our wildlife, schools, roads, & community can NOT take something like this! It will crush our community. Please stop this!!Ronnie
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Ronnie (37920), November 24, 2021 at 7:47 PM
STOP THE REZONE. This is our main concern. Keep our community rural!. Please dont let them take this from us. We been here our whole life and we know our community can not take it. Imagine how many fatal wrecks will be at the Chapman highway entrance/exit! Imagine the traffic jams. Imagine all the wildlife being gone. These are all things we don't want to happen. STOP THE REZONEPrivate
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Private (37920), November 26, 2021 at 6:20 PM
I am for this development ..due to the fact that we are living during a time where we have an on going HOUSING CRISIS. I think most of you know the story behind 'that' situation? I also have a small track of land that I would also like to have rezoned and add additional accessory buildings to rent at an AFFORDABLE rate giving the inflated price of homes and rental units. Most of the folks who are against this development are probably living under housing conditions of inheritable influence and are not under pressure to find an affordable place to rent, I'm assuming? As for the wild life, the deer travel through my land dusk and dawn and if they are not being hunted..are mostly safe as I do not hunt. More housing would also restrict these "sport hunters" from legally hunting in this general area unless they submit to poaching. I vote FOR this developmentRobert
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Robert (37920), November 28, 2021 at 10:23 AM
The main reason I moved here is because it was rural. Do not rezone it.Margie
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Margie (37920), November 29, 2021 at 2:03 PM
Please see my comments. Attachments to follow in separate comment.View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211129140350.pdf
Margie
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Margie (37920), November 29, 2021 at 2:06 PM
Attachment for previous comment dated 11/29/21 - Hydrology ReportView Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211129140631.pdf
Margie
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Margie (37920), November 29, 2021 at 2:08 PM
Attachment for previous comment on 11/29/21 (2 of 4)View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211129140823.pdf
Margie
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Margie (37920), November 29, 2021 at 2:09 PM
Attachment for previous comment on 11/29/21 (3 of 4)View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211129140951.pdf
Margie
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Margie (37920), November 29, 2021 at 2:11 PM
Final attachment for previous comment on 11/29/21View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211129141105.pdf
Jamie
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Jamie (37920), December 1, 2021 at 9:44 AM
My community of Dry Hollow has banded together to fight this proposal. I, myself, am urging you to please deny this rezone. The protected hillsides that have already been destroyed are a travesty. This type of growth was never intended for this area. This was meant to stay rural in the Planning Commission’s own proposed 20 year plan. The traffic at the intersection of Chapman Hwy and Simpson Rd. is already dangerous even with the new middle lane added. We moved here to have a feel of being away from the city and with this development it completely ruins that. This must not happen! Please consider all of us that have come together to fight this.Bradley
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Bradley (37920), December 1, 2021 at 2:49 PM
The process to amend the sector plan is not being followed. No improvements or changes have been made to accommodate or institute a plan amendment. The current sewer capacity was installed many years ago to accommodate the industrial area behind Valley Grove Church not for future housing developments according to knox Chapman. It was also already in place in 2012 when the sector plan was last reviewed. The turn lane recently added to Chapman Highway has been in the works by TDOT for many years and was intended to be a buffer zone for opposing traffic not to accommodate for a vast increase in traffic levels these developments will produce.Dawn
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Dawn (37920), December 1, 2021 at 5:21 PM
Please see my letter OPPOSING rezoning and sector plan change for this property (Case # 11-F-21-RZ and Case # 11-F-21-SP), attached. View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211201172101.pdf
Dawn
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Dawn (37920), December 1, 2021 at 5:23 PM
Photos of devastation on subject property. Two TDEC cases pending...View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211201172321.pdf
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Dawn (37920), December 1, 2021 at 5:52 PM
I live across the street from the subject property in the historic "Loveday Springs" Greek Revival home, built by Ben Bowers (owner of Camel Manufacturing, itself of historical local significance) in the 1930's. Run by the Loveday family, the site was also the main stagecoach stop between Knoxville and Sevierville from 1837-1903. The tavern ruins, stone spring box, stone bridge and cast metal bell used to summon the livery staff from that bygone era still exist today. Adding 4 du/acre across the street from this unique historical treasure is NOT in character with the neighborhood. Please VOTE NO on re-zoning and VOTE NO on sector plan change for this property. Do not let one out-of-town developer destroy all that is good and glorious and God-given in our neighborhood and replace it with dangerous traffic, silted streams, cheek-to-jowl housing, over-crowding, flooding and more--merely to grant a one-time windfall to the three out-of-town people (TMP, the developer) at the expense of myself and all our neighbors. Please retain the Agricultural zoning and the Rural Area designation of this land to limit the developer to a more appropriate project in character with the surrounding neighborhood. NO Harden Valley in our neighborhood!!! View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211201175241.pdf
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Dawn (37920), December 1, 2021 at 6:06 PM
There is a large bat cave located on the land at 8802 Sevierville Pike. The horizontal opening of the cave has been disturbed by recent activity with heavy equipment (the mouth of the cave is partially filled with soil). The land also lies within what is termed "Critical Bat Habitat" on the following map: Critical Habitat for Threatened & Endangered Species [USFWS] (arcgis.com). There MUST be an environmental impact study done on this property prior to ANY changes that would allow development greater than the current zoning and sector plan change allow. It MUST be determined what impact there might be on bats that are endangered by White Nose Syndrome!!!View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211201180631.pdf
Jennifer
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Jennifer (37920), December 2, 2021 at 6:19 PM
I live very close to the proposed rezoning site. My family and I chose to move here four years ago to have a home and community built of peace and quiet. We have a small vegetable farm and raise chickens. We love seeing the deer, fox, and the occasional coyote. The proposed development would increase traffic and public demand which will destroy the environment we love and try to protect. I know our sentiment is shared with the majority of neighbors who want to keep our tranquil community small. Bradley
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Bradley (37920), December 8, 2021 at 10:27 AM
Please see attached file of 560 singed against the rezoning and amending the growth planView Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20211208102729.pdf
Laurie
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Laurie (37920), December 8, 2021 at 12:59 PM
I would like to compliment the Commission on the Growth Policy Plan and the South Sector Plan that you developed over the years. It essentially establishes an urban growth limits line and protects the rural residential/ agricultural character of our Dry Hollow/Sevierville Pike area. It provides a vision that the residents count on. This is the time to hold firm and back up your well crafted vision.
Amending the Plan with such a vast change in density will award the developer a financial windfall at the expense of our neighborhood and the community planning process that we rely on.
I urge you to vote No on the Sector Plan Amendment and No on the Rezone.