October 1, 2026
Planning Commission meeting

Public Comments

4 Comments for
X DateX ZIP Code
Case Number
Name
Comment
Attachment
On Behalf Of
Date
10-G-26-RZ
Igor
37923
10-G-26-RZ
Igor (37923), September 21, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Dear Members of the Knox County Planning Commission,
I live in the area and urge you to deny 10-G-26-RZ, or at minimum hold density close to what the current zoning allows.
S Gallaher View is very narrow and curving, with a documented history of crashes, including injury crashes. I've had a near miss on this road myself, despite being a careful driver, simply because of how narrow and curvy it is. The road is already absorbing traffic from the 27-lot development approved at 860 S Gallaher View last year, which your staff estimated could generate up to 364 daily trips, plus other new housing nearby. Each case looks small on its own, but together they add far more traffic than this road was built for.
These 7.6 acres are also heavily wooded and buffer existing homes. Once the land is rezoned and cleared, that canopy can't be replaced.
If you do approve PR, please cap density well below the request and add conditions requiring road improvements and preservation of mature trees along the property edges.
Thank you for your consideration.
September 21, 2026
at 7:09 PM
10-G-26-RZ
Andy
37923
10-G-26-RZ
Andy (37923), September 23, 2026 at 10:38 AM
See my comments in the attached pdf. Thank you. Andy Douglass.
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260923103811.pdf
September 23, 2026
at 10:38 AM
10-G-26-RZ
Marcel
37923
10-G-26-RZ
Marcel (37923), September 28, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The rezoning of this property is ill-conceived and should not be approved. I would like to give the following arguments why this proposal should not be approved.
There are at the moment three school bus stops on this road. The increased traffic -- not even accounting for the additional traffic from the newest development at intersection with Westland Drive -- will make it an even more dangerous situation for our children.

The topography does not lend itself to development. There is, in my estimation, at least a 100 foot elevation difference between the north side and south side of the road. Besides the fact that such a steep gradient is not amenable to building housing, any development will affect drainage. By clearing the vegetation, waterflow will be severely affected, affecting hillside drainage, intercepting surface runoff and trigger soil erosion. I am not aware of any plan to mitigate these risks. It is not clear if property in such a topological environment will be able to obtain insurance with such high risk of potential damage.

Furthermore, there are high voltage lines that run directly across the property. How will their operational reliability be ensured when these lines are more exposed to erosion? How will the neighborhood and development be protected from adverse affects of downed power lines given the increased frequency of violent storms that are being observed?

See pdf for full response.
View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260928204216.pdf
September 28, 2026
at 8:42 PM
10-G-26-RZ
David
37923
10-G-26-RZ
David (37923), September 30, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I am writing in opposition to this proposal and my intent to fight this to the end.
This proposal will add more traffic to an already congested area. Any discussion of traffic studies or expected traffic impact is a farce, as there are already multiple developments in the area that are already going to add to congestion. We don't know the impact that the new units at Westland and Gallaher View and the massive development near Gleason and Ebenezer will have on this area. This proposal cannot actually take into account the real effect that all of this will have on our area.
Additionally, this is a mature wooded area home to significant wildlife. What plan does this have for the owls, deer, coyotes, etc.? The answer is undoubtedly none.
We cannot continue to grow simply for the sake of growth. Not every wooded area in Knox County must be developed. Not when this comes at the expense of those that have lived in the area for years.
This is entirely unnecessary and can't possibly pass muster. It's time for this body to step up and not approve the destruction of every square inch of Knox County. We must wait and see the effect that all the other projects will have on this area before adding additional burdens upon our roadways, the wildlife, and our citizens.
Best,
David R. Houbre
Attorney at law
September 30, 2026
at 6:45 PM