April 9, 2026
Planning Commission meeting

Public Comments

6 Comments for

4-O-26-RZ
Jenn (37917), March 13, 2026 at 7:44 PM

This is just a move to avoid following the law and doing right with the atmosphere. The amount of pollution not to mention the smell in our neighborhood is ridiculous. Hopefully the govt will see this smoke screen and avoid this situation.

March 13, 2026
at 7:44 PM

4-O-26-RZ

Michelle
37917

4-O-26-RZ
Michelle (37917), March 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM

This particular business has no place in a mainly residential area. They need to relocate if they want to continue this type of business, somewhere so that their toxic putrid smell doesn't invade neighborhoods.

March 13, 2026
at 7:49 PM

4-O-26-RZ

Paul
37917

4-O-26-RZ
Paul (37917), March 14, 2026 at 9:23 AM

Do not allow this change in zoning. This is right next to a large, historic, heavily populated neighborhood. In no way is this a heavy industrial area!

March 14, 2026
at 9:23 AM

4-O-26-RZ

Lisa
37917

4-O-26-RZ
Lisa (37917), March 15, 2026 at 10:45 AM

I am writing to oppose the request to rezone the grease processing facility near the Parkridge neighborhood to I-H (Heavy Industrial). Parkridge alone contains over 900 homes within a small area, and nearby neighborhoods are also affected. This is not a case of a few homes bordering an industrial zone, but a dense residential community experiencing ongoing impacts.
The facility has already been cited for operating out of compliance, particularly due to strong odors from grease processing that travel throughout the neighborhood. Residents frequently experience these odors early in the morning when families are starting their day.
A concerning pattern has also developed in which the facility appears to operate its most odor-producing activities late at night and early in the morning, then cease operations before city staff can observe violations. This makes enforcement difficult while the neighborhood continues to bear the impacts.
Rezoning to heavy industrial after documented violations would set a troubling precedent and introduce an incompatible land use into a dense residential area. Grease processing belongs in appropriately zoned industrial districts.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Commission to deny this rezoning request.

March 15, 2026
at 10:45 AM

4-O-26-RZ

Kelli
37917

4-O-26-RZ
Kelli (37917), March 18, 2026 at 4:57 PM

I am writing in opposition to the rezoning of this property so that this business can continue to pollute a residential neighborhood. This type of business does not belong at this location at all. They should move to an established I-H zoned location. The horrible smell has been an ongoing problem for years.

March 18, 2026
at 4:57 PM

4-O-26-RZ

Kathryn Fraser
37917

4-O-26-RZ
Kathryn Fraser (37917), March 19, 2026 at 10:25 PM

Dear Zoning Commission,
We ask that you do not permit Liquid Environmental Solutions (LES) to change their zoning to I-H. LES is imminent to a highly dense residential area and one of Knoxville's historic neighborhoods. Although we live over half a mile from the LES site, LES's activities can make being outside unbearable because of the strong, rotten-egg-like smell they produce. As another has documented, after LES's activities became increasingly reported they now appear to conduct their most odor-producing activities at night or early in the morning, before government offices are open and when enforcement is made difficult. (I have walked outside at 3:00 a.m. and nearly been knocked off my feet by the smell.) Liquid Environmental Solution's activities and the strong, continual odors they have produced have become a nuisance to the residents of Parkridge and, we are sure, to our neighbors in the surrounding area.
We ask that their request for I-H zoning be denied. They need to either move to an already I-H area where this kind of activity is appropriate, or be required to conduct their activities completely within an enclosed building.
Thank you for your consideration.

March 19, 2026
at 10:25 PM