March 5, 2026
Planning Commission meeting
Planning Commission meeting
Public Comments
28 Comments for 3-A-26-UR and
Lori
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Lori (37922), February 28, 2026 at 9:10 PM
I am in opposition of this! The proposal clearly states there is to be amplified sound. Having customers being loud watching a large screen outside is a disturbance of the peace! It states the outdoor activities will end at 6pm but patrons will be outside until 11pm! The sound from Don Gallos already travels up the hill and is a disturbance to our community. This will be unbearable. We have been members of this community for almost 17 years and I have watched you slowly and continuously rob us of our peace in this area. There is no doubt this will decrease the value of our home and our quality of life! John
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John (37922), March 3, 2026 at 12:37 PM
I respectfully request that this proposal be denied. The noise and traffic related issues that close to residential property is unacceptable. Thank you for your consideration.Stacy
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Stacy (37922), March 3, 2026 at 12:57 PM
I am writing to formally oppose the proposed two-story restaurant and outdoor recreation development planned for the property located along Choto Road. I have attached my opposition in an attached document.View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260303125742.pdf
Amanda
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Amanda (37922), March 3, 2026 at 1:10 PM
On behalf of the Choto Fields HOA community which is immediately adjacent to the proposed development site, I am submitting the attached comment to express our strong opposition to the current proposal as it is stated. Please view the attachment for our concerns. Thank you View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260303131041.pdf
Choto Fields HOA
John
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John (37922), March 3, 2026 at 1:21 PM
1. A 2 story commercial building/restaurant in this area is unacceptable as this location is surrounded by residential neighborhoods that sit at a lower elevation. The patrons of this establishment will be looking right into the backyards of surrounding homes and the bedrooms of many of these homes, with most of these bedrooms being those of children. 2. The hours of operation open until 11pm with amplified sound is not in keeping with the noise ordinance of 10pm. Again, many of the surrounding homes have young children who have school night bedtimes much earlier than even 10pm.
3. When the Weigel's location went in the area residents were promised there would be no further commercial development west of Choto. This is on the West side of Choto Circle.
4. It is my understanding that this lot is part of a residential subdivision and should be residential.
Sharon
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Sharon (37922), March 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
I'm a resident of Choto Fields subdivision and I've just learned of the proposed restaurant to be built at the corner of Choto and Northshore. The plan to have music, games, and bright lights until 11pm is at best a nuisance and at worst offensive in such proximity to a family neighborhood. I urge you to NOT approve this proposal. Seth
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Seth (37922), March 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
We do not need or want an establishment that will cause even more traffic, more noise, more light in our back yard. Don gallo music is already a problem. This is a huge threat to our property value. Every other year some developer wants to put in a pill clinic or beer garden at this location and it's a terrible location for any business because it is so close in proximity to nice neighborhoods. We are opposed to this. People could look directly into my backyard and pool invading my privacy. What happens if the business fails? Who on earth would want a big ugly building sandwiched between a several nice neighborhoods?Lorin
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Lorin (37922), March 3, 2026 at 7:05 PM
We are a community which is just down the road from this new business. We are very concerned about the following issues related to this new business:
1) The noise that may occur after 10:00pm. Every other business in the area (except Weigel's) closes by 10:00pm
2) Parking issues
3) Traffic congestion
Kal
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Kal (37922), March 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
I have concerns about the proposed expansion of the bar and grill at Choto Rd and Northshore Dr. Outdoor activities such as pickleball, horseshoes, and lawn games operating until 11 PM would likely create significant nighttime noise for nearby residential neighborhoods.I am also concerned about traffic and safety. Northshore and Choto are already narrow roads with little or no shoulder, and the traffic circle at this intersection frequently experiences congestion. Additional traffic from expanded entertainment uses could worsen safety conditions.
Finally, expanded activity could create parking overflow and increased late-night vehicle noise and headlights affecting nearby homes.
Given the existing road limitations and proximity to residential neighborhoods, I encourage careful reconsideration of this proposal in its current form.
James
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James (37922), March 3, 2026 at 7:45 PM
The property proposed for this rezoning is within less than 100' to single family homes in the subdivisions of Montgomery Cove, Choto Mills, and Choto Fields. The planned activities, entertainment, and operating hours until 11:00p will create excessive noise and traffic degrading the quality of life and property values for the families in this neighborhood. Craig
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Craig (37922), March 3, 2026 at 8:55 PM
This request should be rejected. This property is in close proximity to quiet neighborhoods in all directions, and the proposed facility is not in keeping with the surrounding area. The outdoor activities, amplified sound, and bar will lead to increased noise pollution that will resonate throughout the adjacent neighborhoods. No one wants to live within earshot of loud music, pickle ball, and rowdy patrons. No one moved into this area hoping that a Top Golf style facility would move in next door. Jaime
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Jaime (37922), March 4, 2026 at 1:04 AM
I am writing as a resident of the Choto Fields / Choto Mills community regarding the proposed rezoning of the property located at 1615 Choto Road.While our community supports thoughtful development and local businesses, many residents have concerns about rezoning this parcel to allow additional commercial activity immediately adjacent to established residential neighborhoods.
Several homes appear to be located approximately 70-100 feet from portions of the proposed development area. The parcel also sits at approximately 884 feet elevation, while many surrounding homes sit significantly lower. When combined with the possibility of a two-story structure and outdoor activity areas, these factors may increase sound and lighting impacts on nearby homes.
Residents are particularly concerned about the possibility of outdoor amplified music and a pickleball court, which have generated noise disputes in other communities across the country.
The surrounding area already contains numerous businesses that serve the community, and additional commercial zoning at this location does not appear necessary.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Planning Commission maintain the current zoning designation for 1615 Choto Road.
Thank you for your service to Knox County and for considering the concerns of nearby residents.
Drew
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Drew (37922), March 4, 2026 at 7:07 AM
We will pass on the dink donk noise of the pickle ball while eating but I'm down for another food option here.I approve this message.
James and Jenifer
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James and Jenifer (37922), March 4, 2026 at 7:51 AM
As members of the Mill at Choto Subdivision, which abuts the subject property, we are quite concerned with the planned operating hours of 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM, seven days a week. The amount of noise from a business with outside areas, especially late at night, could prove to be a nuisance to families that have to get up early for work and school the next day. We would strongly prefer that the operating hours be more in line with the hours of neighboring businesses, which close no later than 9:30 - 10:00 each night. We are also concerned with the size of the property and the potential number of customers, which parking may not accommodate, forcing spillover parking on our narrow street, which is not designed for street parking and may present major safety concerns, especially late at night. We strongly urge you to require the business owners to reach out to our community (as good neighbors) to find mutually acceptable ways to address our concerns.Tom
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Tom (37922), March 4, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Key issues for us is having an outside area for patrons staying open until 11pm when most other commercial businesses in the vicinity close at 10pm. More importantly is ingress and egress from this property! It is only feet away from the Choto Road roundabout. The entrance/exit from our street onto Choto Road which is only a few feet further away is already very dangerous as people coming out of the roundabout are slingshotting on to Choto! I can only imagine this establishment's traffic being closer to the roundabout being in significantly more danger! We are not opposed to a restaurant on this property but these issues above need further consideration.
This is item 40 on the agenda. Restaurant at Choto and S Northshore Dr.
Mark
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Mark (37922), March 4, 2026 at 9:47 AM
As a nearby resident in Montgomery Cove, I would like to add my concerns to the proposed grill and bar near the Choto roundabout. In addition to the understated traffic volume now on North Shore, the proposed structure includes a minimum number of parking spaces for the facility.
It is an anticipated that any overflow of traffic during peak operating hours would spill over to some of the vacant parking spaces at the Markets at Choto. As a result, patrons would have to cross Choto Road on foot (possibly at dark) thereby affecting the number of parking spaces available for the businesses in Choto market.
Stephen
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Stephen (37922), March 4, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Please see the attached Public Comment and Appeal of this project.View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260304100759.pdf
Marquetta
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Marquetta (37922), March 4, 2026 at 10:42 AM
This appears to be a well designed proposed project.As a homeowner residing directly behind the site, I would ask for consideration that the hours of operation to coincide with Don Gallos and and close by 10pm instead of the proposed time of 11pm.
This I feel would show consideration for the residential areas for noise and traffic.
Eric
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Eric (37922), March 4, 2026 at 10:57 AM
I am concerned if operating hours extend until 11:00 pm nightly. Neighborhoods surround this location. Operating hours limited to 10:00 pm nightly like surrounding businesses make a lot more sense for this location. D P
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D P (37922), March 4, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Please reconsider this project. This is a use on review, which means it is not automatically allowed by right. The zoning commission was established to look at each of these type situations on their individual merit. 1. A 2-story restaurant will at this location will sit taller than most surrounding properties making it a focal point. This will change the overall appearance of the area. The improvement should be no taller than 1 story.
2. The hours of operation are unacceptable next to residential areas.
3. Amplified sound is unacceptable next to residential areas.
Persons in this area are not against development, but the development should be thoughtful and balance with the harmony of the residential area that they are wanting to be associated with.
Jaime
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Jaime (37922), March 4, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Please see Attached PDFView Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260304115833.pdf
Julie
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Julie (37922), March 4, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The corner of Choto Rd and Northshore Dr is already overcrowded with homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and restaurants, and the addition of yet another one, especially with such extensive outdoor plans, will be overly burdensome to the already-failing infrastructure of the area. Additionally, such extensive outdoor plans will negatively affect our neighborhood, which sits right across Northshore from the planned restaurant and activity center, with extensive noise and light pollution. I strongly oppose this project or any further development similar to it. Pat
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Pat (37922), March 4, 2026 at 2:38 PM
I am one of two residents in Montgomery Cove who have a direct line of sight and sound of this property being proposed for a zoning change (my home is the first one down the Choto side of the circle). Years ago, we dealt with the buildout of the Choto Markets facility and Weigels, and we have patiently dealt with the visual and noise "pollution" involved in the aromas (not always bad!), noise, and lights of the facilities. Early morning trash pickups at Weigels usually involve pounding of the large dumpster at 6am, and quite a wake up call. Music from Don Gallo's is audible as well as patron noise - we can plainly hear conversations and an occasional kids' squeal or yell, which is a little much when entertaining friends on the deck. We realize that progress comes often at a price - what I'd ask is that the developers consider assisting with visual barriers for our property to the Choto road area - specifically, paying for shrubs, trees, and foliage that would create an audible dampener and a visual buffer. It might cost $25 - 30,000 (or more) to do it appropriately, but being a good neighbor also comes at a cost. We'd appreciate serious consideration in this request. Charles
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Charles (37922), March 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Resident of Montgomery Cove... I know this is going against the grain (as most people have a knee jerk opposition to any development within 5 miles of home) but I think this sounds great! It would be nice to have more dining and (family friendly) entertainment options that don't require a 20 minute drive one way or the other. Let's build a more natural community and maybe even have some fun with your neighbors!Christy
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Christy (37922), March 4, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Please see my attached concerns. I appreciate your consideration.View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260304165613.pdf
Christina
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Christina (37922), March 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
I oppose the pickleball court so close to our homes in Choto Mill. There have been many studies outlining the adverse health effects of pickleball noise. A few of the many articles related to the studies are below, including one detailing pickleball noise at the park off McFee in Farragut. https://pubs.aip.org/asa/poma/article/56/1/050001/3349852/Pickleball-noise-The-physiological-and?__cf_chl_tk=ckYo2uxpfM.XPb4KOqK.MbIClxW9PeQx4usAluCQKHA-1772660775-1.0.1.1-9WeVQk1qzq_B6l6OgcIpflL.jugftLUssqQsBvq9jaI
https://romitoresearch.org/
https://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2023/11/13371
John
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John (37922), March 5, 2026 at 12:12 AM
1. A 2 story commercial building/restaurant in this area is unacceptable as this location is surrounded by residential neighborhoods that sit at a lower elevation. The patrons of this establishment will be looking right into the backyards of surrounding homes and the bedrooms of many of these homes, with most of these bedrooms being those of children.2. The hours of operation open until 11pm with amplified sound is not in keeping with the noise ordinance of 10pm. Again, many of the surrounding homes have young children who have school night bedtimes much earlier than even 10pm.
3. When the Weigel's location went in the area residents were promised there would be no further commercial development west of Choto. This is on the West side of Choto Circle.
4. The traffic in this area is already a hazard, and this will add to it.