March 5, 2026
Planning Commission meeting

Public Comments

19 Comments for

X Date X ZIP Code

Andrew
37909

9-A-25-SU
Andrew (37909), February 17, 2026 at 7:22 AM

As a lifelong resident of West Hills and Knoxville I have grave concerns about the development that has been approved to be built on this site. It intrudes on the privacy of surrounding neighbors being only fifty feet away from the closest neighbors who's house value will certainly diminish if this goes through. It is also not consistent with area. There is a huge apartment complex just finished just down the street and another set of condos being built on Middlebrook at Broome. Why the need to stuff in 32 units on just a tight area when there are plenty of other options for housing. A much less dense development would more suited to the area and furthermore would cut down on what will be a further issue with traffic on Gallaher View Road which is becoming more and more dangerous and overcrowded. West Hills has presented much evidence that this is not the best use of this land site. We are happy to see it developed in some regard but please consider the impact on the neighbors and the traffic.
Sincerely,
Andrew Schmudde

February 17, 2026
at 7:22 AM

Anne
37909

9-A-25-SU
Anne (37909), February 21, 2026 at 8:29 PM

Please consider this proposal so that the number of units to be constructed is limited to the smaller number of units. It is difficult to get out of this area onto Gallaher View Road and would be worse if the larger number of units were constructed. As a resident of the West Hills neighborhood, I am asking that you deny this proposal.

We have seen our area inundated with apartments and other types of housing. The volume of traffic has increased and it does not seem to be affordable housing for those who need housing the most.

Please consider this request in order to limit future development in case this project is not completed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

February 21, 2026
at 8:29 PM

9-A-25-SU
Lee (37909), March 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM

Attached are two documents: Primary Interface Aspects and Secondary Interface Aspects

These documents are based on neighborhood input and discussion between West Hills Community Association leadership, representative neighbors closest to the site, and representatives of Mainland development company at the offices of Canon and Canon Engineering on January 15, 2026. The attachments were initially prepared to document and align neighborhood concerns and requests. They have been reviewed by affected neighbors.

These docs may need to be revised after our review of the following recent information:
1) Recently provided Mainland Plans, Rev 2,
2) Recently provided Planning Design Guidelines for Landscape Screening
3) Special Use Report, 9-A-25-SU issued February 27, 2026.

These documents have been provided to Mainland. We request that our concerns and requests be considered and integrated to the extent practical by Mainland during the landscape permitting process.

We also request the Planning Staff review and provide us any guidance necessary to help align content and details for a future Landscape Plan acceptable to the Planning Staff, our affected neighbors and Mainland.

Thank you for considering our ideas. We look forward to working with Mainland and all concerned parties in the future to arrive at a mutually beneficial solution.

Lee Hume
President, West Hills Community Association
View Attachment

https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260303170642.pdf

March 3, 2026
at 5:06 PM

Larry
37909

9-A-25-SU
Larry (37909), March 3, 2026 at 11:56 PM

Please see attached comments on Agenda Item # 10, March 5, 2026, meeting on behalf of the West Hills Community Assn
View Attachment

https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260303235615.pdf

March 3, 2026
at 11:56 PM

Jerry
37909

9-A-25-SU
Jerry (37909), March 4, 2026 at 1:16 AM

See Attached. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
View Attachment

https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260304011638.pdf

March 4, 2026
at 1:16 AM

Nick
37909

9-A-25-SU
Nick (37909), March 4, 2026 at 9:41 AM

I am the president of Saint Andrews Homeowners Association. We find the variance very questionable and believe it sets a terrible precedent for existing single family homes and the future and of Knoxville's neighborhoods to the detriment of all nearby homeowners. Allowing min lot widths that small is an invitation to begin knocking down existing single family homes on lots in every neighborhood and one day waking up to realize you live in a completely different zone. The special use exemption was not intended for situations like these and appears that it may begin to be used as an end around for existing zoning rules, process of public involvement, and ignoring general sentiment of taxpaying citizens. We side with WHCA and oppose Special Use change.

Saint Andrews Homeowners Association

March 4, 2026
at 9:41 AM

Boyd
37909

9-A-25-SU
Boyd (37909), March 4, 2026 at 10:18 AM

I am asking you to meet the expectations of all West Hills residents and speak up for our neighbors and our community. I encourage you , the Planning Commission, to consider the facts Do Not grant a Special Use exemption for this part of West Hills.

March 4, 2026
at 10:18 AM

Susan
37909

9-A-25-SU
Susan (37909), March 4, 2026 at 10:46 AM

Please deny the Special Use application to build 32 townhouses at the Gallaher View/Middlebrook site. The density of this development and its proximity to other homes are not in compliance with the General Plan and the One-Year Plan. The General Plan states that, while encouraging growth, you must ensure that the context of new development, including scale and compatibility, does not impact existing neighborhoods and communities.

A smaller version of the development would be more compatible with the neighborhoods, and it would still encourage growth. Therefore, please vote against the Special Use Application for 32 townhouses.

March 4, 2026
at 10:46 AM

Neil/Divina
37909

9-A-25-SU
Neil/Divina (37909), March 4, 2026 at 11:03 AM

I am writing in opposition to the proposed Special Use request under Article 16.2 Special Use Review of the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance. Specifically, Section F outlines the required standards that must be satisfied for approval. The applicant must meet all of these standards, and in my opinion, they have not done so.

Based on the information presented, the proposal does not adequately demonstrate compliance with the required criteria, including compatibility with surrounding properties and protection of public health, safety, and welfare.

Additionally, I have serious concerns regarding traffic safety, particularly for residents entering and exiting onto Gallaher View. Increased traffic, potential turning conflicts, and limited visibility could create hazardous conditions for neighbors and other motorists. The safety of existing residents should be a primary consideration in this review process.

For these reasons, I urge the decision-makers to carefully evaluate whether the required standards have truly been met before granting approval.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

March 4, 2026
at 11:03 AM

Robert
37909

9-A-25-SU
Robert (37909), March 4, 2026 at 11:43 AM

Allowing a variance for 72 town houses is not compatible with that area. It seems as though you are surrounding our neighborhood with condensed housing. Gallaher View is becoming an overly congested and dangerous section of street to navigate between Kingston Pike an Middlebrook. One cannot turn on to Broome Road going south or other streets without meeting traffic going north in the turn lane. This street cannot support any more traffic.

March 4, 2026
at 11:43 AM

Clarence
37909

9-A-25-SU
Clarence (37909), March 4, 2026 at 2:07 PM

I am asking that you vote to deny this Special Use request that far exceeds the number of townhouse units per lot allowable in Zone RN-4. The proposed development plan for 32 townhouse units per lot exceeds the allowable townhouse units per lot in a RN-4 zone by 28 units. This is more than 3 times the allowed townhouse units per lot in RN-4. The question before you regarding 962 N Gallaher View Rd is: "Does the proposed plan for construction of 32 townhouse units meet all the standards in Article 16.2.F.2? " The excessive number of townhouse units does not meet the 'compatible with character of the neighborhood' test found at 16.2.F.2.3. A less intense development would be better use of this lot and would be more compatible with the adjacent single family neighborhood located on three sides of the proposed development.

Please consider the above in your deliberations and vote to deny the requested Special Use.

Clarence
West Hills Community Association Zoning Chair

March 4, 2026
at 2:07 PM

john
37909

9-A-25-SU
john (37909), March 4, 2026 at 10:27 PM

In Rotary we have a test we use to help us make ethical decisions on whether it is for personal or professional use. It's call the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think Say and Do. My opinion this development does not meet any of the criteria.

First: Is it the Truth? No, this development is not compatible to the surrounding neighborhood nor was there any hardship for the developer that justifies reducing the set back from 20' to 9'.

Second: Is It Fair to All Concerned. Again No. We have tried to work with the developer on many occasions seeking a reasonable solution of a # of townhouses that both parties can live with.

Third: Will It Build Good Will & Better Friendships. We know the property will be developed but adding this many townhouses right up against the neighbors who purchased housing and planned to reside in an RN1 development long term doesn't feel like the way things are supposed to go.

Fourth: Will It Be Beneficial To All Concerned. Let's be honest here. This development really just benefits the developer.

Again, the community knows this property will be developed. No one is against that. The community is ok with a 24 or so Townhouses that have a reasonable set back from the surrounding neighbors. There is no doubt the developer will make a very nice profit here, the community can live with a reasonable development, and it will be fair to all concerned.

March 4, 2026
at 10:27 PM

Jerry
37909

9-A-25-SU
Jerry (37909), March 5, 2026 at 12:05 AM

The attached comments supplement and amplify my initial comments sent to address the Staff Recommendations on page 10-4 of the Special Use Report.

View Attachment

https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260305000533.pdf

March 5, 2026
at 12:05 AM

9-A-25-SU
Lee (37909), March 5, 2026 at 7:32 AM

The West Hills Community Association and our neighbors both in the immediate vicinity of 932 N Gallaher property and neighbors across our community ask that you DENY Mainland's request for Special Use.

Because the developer chose to remove the Planned Residential District the property had and has moved forward under conditions of RN-4 Zoning, he has arrived at this point to ask that the specified limit of 8 units per lot be disregarded so he can build 32 units on the 4-acre site.

Larry Silverstein, a West Hills neighbor and attorney who is donating his legal expertise to help his neighbors, will speak on our behalf to address legitimate concerns within the context of the law as to why the Special Use should be DENIED.

We respectfully ask that you consider Mr. Silverstein's earlier correspondence to you detailing the conflicts with existing City Zoning Standards and today's oral presentation reemphasizing the legal conflicts the developer's petition raises.

After weighing the facts, understanding neighbors concerns about the gluttonous number of proposed units, lose of privacy and financial loss for two adjacent neighbors, and knowing that our neighborhood and those who travel Gallaher View Road will live with the hazardous conditions created by this development, we respectfully ask that you DENY the developer's petition.

Leland C Hume
President, West Hills Community Association

West Hills Community Association

March 5, 2026
at 7:32 AM

Danni
37909

9-A-25-SU
Danni (37909), March 5, 2026 at 8:33 AM

Thank you for your work to keep Knoxville a beautiful thriving community for all residents. I am requesting that you vote to not allow Special Use to build 32 townhouses on the one lot at 932 N Gallaher View. In addition to the disruption to the adjacent neighbors, the current plan accesses the site via a 25' wide driveway onto already busy Gallaher View, there are steep slopes in the planned retention pond in the middle of the site, the plan includes the destruction of mature streets within the site, and it is incompatible with the existing neighborhood including Kempton Road homes. My husband, Tom Varlan and I have raised our family in West Hills where he was raised. Our children live here. We are a diverse and active community that loves our city. Please consider our concerns. Danni Varlanâs WHCA.

March 5, 2026
at 8:33 AM

Hurley
37909

9-A-25-SU
Hurley (37909), March 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM

Please consider keeping the townhome lot to 8 units and not 24. 24 new units would not match the current area and would cause much more driveway traffic. The number of additional students going to the local schools would make the overpopulation even worse.
Thank you for your attention and for considering the reputation of Knoxville as it grows.

March 5, 2026
at 9:27 AM

Elizabeth
37909

9-A-25-SU
Elizabeth (37909), March 5, 2026 at 11:26 AM

I am opposed to the Special Use allowing this project to increase the numbers of units allowed. This area (Middlebrook and Gallaher View} is already a speedway with multiple wrecks a day (including my husband last fall). The apartments between Walker Springs and Gallaher view are adding to the problem. Where does this stop? The current allowed units should not be changed for this project. Please do the responsible thing and keep the current zoning!

March 5, 2026
at 11:26 AM

Karen
37909

9-A-25-SU
Karen (37909), March 5, 2026 at 11:35 AM

I absolutely oppose an exemption to current zonong for the construction of 32 Townhouses at N. Gallaher View. Among the many reasons is the issue of a sharp increase in traffic in that area which is already overloaded. That level of construction will degrade that neighborhood and there is potential for environmental damage. Please do not approve this.

March 5, 2026
at 11:35 AM

William (Bill)
37909

9-A-25-SU
William (Bill) (37909), March 5, 2026 at 12:05 PM

My wife and I are longtime residents of West Hills and without going into too much discussion, I'm asking you to please reconsider your yes vote for the Special Use to build 32 townhouses on the one lot at 932 N Gallaher View. Please do not approve this Special Use permit!
Thanks! And please remember that we both vote!

March 5, 2026
at 12:05 PM