12-A-24-PD Janice (37914), December 20, 2024 at 4:16 PM
I thought about telling you how bad the traffic is and lack of respect for the traffic laws are in this area, and the noise from it and what an additional 1500+ cars and trucks along with more construction vehicles would do to the already inadequate roads we have, by the building of 596 apartments and 77 town houses on Delrose Dr. I was in hopes the 15 members would care enough to come and observe the area from James White Parkway to Delrose Dr and down to Holston Hills and Boyds Bridge Pike intersection and talk with the residents here. Come at different times of the day and different days. This way you could make a truly informed decision and not rely on "experts" giving their opinions of surveys that don't tell everything. There is a lot to tell, if you care to ask.
View Attachment
12-A-24-PD Janice (37914), December 20, 2024 at 4:23 PM
I thought about telling you how bad the traffic is and lack of respect for the traffic laws are in this area, and the noise from it and what an additional 1500+ cars and trucks along with more construction vehicles would do to the already inadequate roads we have, by the building of 596 apartments and 77 town houses on Delrose Dr. I was in hopes the 15 members would care enough to come and observe the area from James White Parkway to Delrose Dr and down to Holston Hills and Boyds Bridge Pike intersection and talk with the residents here. Come at different times of the day and different days. This way you could make a truly informed decision and not rely on "experts" giving their opinions of surveys that don't tell everything. There is a lot to tell, if you care to ask.
Thank you respectfully,
12-A-24-PD Robert (37914), January 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
An added issue regarding the proposed Delrose development and the growing traffic problem on Delrose Drive, which this development will present, is the existing new added development now being constructed on Holston Road across Holston River Park. The traffic from this large addition to an existing development will also dump on to Delrose Drive either from Boyd’s Bridge Road or from a very curvy River Side Drive along the Holston River. The access from this development will probably be mostly from the safer direction of Boyd’s Bridge Road on to Delrose Drive. This traffic will then merge into the traffic from the Delrose Development primary entrance making a very large problem for a two lane road. These types of developments now being proposed within residential areas and not more vacant commercial and industrial areas, as we see now being developed, are going to present a major change in these historically single family neighborhoods. Safety within these neighborhoods I believe is being greatly affected and will be an ongoing threat to many Knoxville families.
12-A-24-PD Christina (37914), January 15, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I live in Holston Hills Neighborhood. This development is going to pour too many people into our cherished historical community. From Delrose there are 2 ways to the interstate, one being through our neighborhood. There is 1 way to the nearest grocery store, through our neighborhood. The traffic we have now is more than enough. Has there been any consideration to creating a different way to access Asheville hwy? Has any research been done to see how this development affects the neighborhoods? As it stands now Delrose is too small and curvy to support the vehicles on it much less the bicyclers, walkers, and occasional stray pet or animal being dodged by people driving too fast or dump trucks that cannot see clearly. I drive this road to and from work downtown several times a week. It is NOT a high traffic road. I have heard that the developers think so many residents are going to be biking, which is funny, but is the city planning to put in a fully enforced bike lane? And if so where? Ditches and houses all around. Are stop signs and red lights going in? How are the parks on Riverside headed downtown going to be impacted? Foot and bike traffic safety is swim at your own risk currently. Thank you for your time with my concerns!
12-A-24-PD Robert (14), January 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
After further study of this proposed development, I now believe that the traffic issue is not the most critical issue regarding the successful approval of not just a variance, but the entire development. Within this proposal there is an alternative proposal shown which, in my opinion, serves to actually threaten an adverse affect that the neighborhood in which this development is located will experience if the variance they seek is not approved. This alternative proposal is a terrible “Military barracks” looking plan that would do a lot of harm to this neighborhood’s ability to continue as a livable environment and greatly affect the value of their properties. This threat now creates, I believe, a mistrust not only within the affected neighborhood, but also a mistrust of the overall process of any planning in this city. When a process is allowed to threaten the people it serves in order to achieve their goals rather than serving the citizenry, then it’s mission of service to the community becomes questionable.
12-A-24-PD Jennifer (37914), January 27, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I am really concerned about the project. Estimates about traffic indicate two times what we have now which I don’t believe. If true with two times the amount of traffic comes two times the amount of polluting emissions that come with the vehicles. Aside from the impact on the wonderful wildlife that comes through the area, it impacts our air quality. We already have to deal with Vulcan Materials’ cement dust especially since they moved their blasting area closer to the road but also the dump on the other end of Delrose that apparently cannot keep mud off the road. When that mud dries god knows what’s in the dust. Our natural filters ,the trees, will be cut down. East Knoxville has always been a dumping ground for whatever Knoxville does not want in other parts of the city/county. Please consider our quality of life in this project.
12-A-24-PD Mark (37914), January 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
My wife and I attended the Delrose Drive community meeting last night at Williams Creek Golf Course with the developers of the large proposed apartment complex now being considered in this neighborhood. The message we heard from the Delrose community residents was that the proposed development was much too large for their environment. It seemed to us that the development team was not willing to offer any reduction of the project, and was absolutely resistant to any compromise that might make the residents more comfortable with their actions, The question that arises is....why is it that developers, especially out of town developers, can come into town and get what they want and refuse to offer any reasonable, and I mean reasonable, compromise that can fit into a local community? The planning Commission needs to encourage these developers to work with these communities in order to build positive projects in their environments. Why should the developer have any special privilege over Knoxville residents.
12-A-24-PD Diane (37914), February 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
This project seems to use exceptions in order to squeeze too many units onto this site and fail to meet Planned Development requirements to provide a well designed and livable environment not only for the population within the development but also for the surrounding community.
12-A-24-PD Mark (37914), February 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
After reviewing the most recent plan for this project submitted I believe the Architects have done a decent job addressing the community amenities required by the Planning Commission. This said, this does not address the fact that the affected community has had very little, if any, voice in the development of this project. We have spent time with them in circulating a petition and found absolutely no support for the nature of what is happening in their environment. They overwhelmingly believe that this project could of had a positive affect by developing a neighborhood of small to medium size homes instead of the smothering density now being proposed. We now wonder, where were the representative voices that represented their concerns as the Rn1 zoning was replaced by the Rn4 zoning allowing the conflict we now see between the developer and the residents? We have several times tried to reach these people and had no success. What do they think their jobs as their constituents now sit at home trying to envision the elephant soon to be standing in their back yards?
12-A-24-PD Mark (37914), February 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
At the risk of posting too many comments on this project, I believe there is now an issue within the most recent proposal submitted which will have a significant impact on the Delrose Drive users and needs to have serious dialogue. The Brooks Avenue traffic exit from this project has been removed and now forces the overwhelming traffic discharge from this project on to Delrose Drive. Delrose Drive is a 21 foot wide connector, not 24 foot as stated in the proposal, and Brooks Ave. ,within 300 to 400 ft, of the needed exit, is a 25 to 27 foot wide arterial road that leads directly into downtown Knoxville. Delrose Drive leads primarily either to James White Parkway or Neyland Drive which leads to Kingston Pike, now threatened by a huge increase in traffic moving out from Cumberland Drive. This doesn’t seem to be a very well thought out plan for traffic movement. We believe that Brooks Ave. should share in the traffic flow from this project giving the users the opportunity to access downtown more easily and ease the numbers exiting onto Delrose Drive, a narrower road that leads either to an overloaded interstate or an overloaded major road coming from West Town or the Cumberland canyon of apartments.
12-A-24-PD Mark (37914), February 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
P.S. apparently Brooks Ave. is expected to be accessed by way of Riverside Road, a 16 foot wide strip of asphalt that two cars can barely pass each other, and who is it that will widen this road and move all of the utility pole that line each side so that it can accommodate possibly 500 to 600, or more, cars exiting or entering this project? Please step up and reveal yourself if you have this intent. The neighborhood deserves an answer.
Taking a closer look at the expected Riverside Road exit from this project , now that the direct Brooks Avenue exit has been eliminated. Everyone living in this project wanting to go downtown will now be taking the Riverside Road exit on to Brooks Avenue directly in front of Sarah Moore Green Elementary School. There could be hundreds of vehicles entering this school zone at any time creating very dangerous conditions. Conditions, we believe, much more dangerous than the direct Brooks Avenue exit which has at least 450 feet of visibility down the slope in question. The street at this point is 21 ft. Wide, but within 450 ft. of Brooks Drive becoming 25 to 27 ft. wide with houses set back being a more safe distance than on Delrose Drive.
12-A-24-PD Lisa (37914), March 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Some of your data is incorrect. Riverside Drive & Delrose Drive are heavily used by cyclists. Also I saw no mention of the many dump trucks traveling on Delrose to and from the dump. Also, when I-40 backs up, travel apps lead travelers, including tractor trailers, down these same roads. A development of this size greatly needs a turning lane at its entrance to avoid accidents and a large paved cycling path is needed on all of Delrose and Riverside. Please consider these additions to keep traffic moving and keep cyclists safe!
There seems to be some opinion going around that in the second submittal of this project the developer has made some changes which allows more green space and less driveway area. I do not see this. I see very little change
In both green space and drive/parking area. The long 800 to 900 ft parking lot drives have very little greenery and most of the green spaces cannot be viewed from these areas. The green spaces are mostly either behind the buildings or in the middle of the quadrangle groups of buildings, with limited opportunity to experience these spaces, only the widely spaced trees along the long straight parking lot roads are part of the green space experience.
More open green space needs to be a part of the drive/parking areas. This I believe can only be accomplished with fewer units on this site. Please prove me wrong and make the automobile spaces more environmentally treated and more comfortably used by the residents and visitors.
12-A-24-PD Tracy (37189), March 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
After reviewing the agenda for this week's meeting, I realize that there is another property on Riverside Road being discussed. The property at 1524 is a development of 10 homes. The entry is on the road but not across from the Delrose development. This is another reason that an entrance should not be approved on Riverside Road. View Attachment
12-A-24-PD Kimberley (37909), March 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I am writing to appeal to the commission to focus on the concerns of the East Knoxville community regarding this project. Please dont limit your impression of the number of oppositions to this project by the number of people present at the meeting, as most are unable to attend daytime meetings during a work week. You should look at this project taking into consideration the impact on public utilities, road access and community opinion. Consider what your concerns would be if you lived in our neighborhood! Maybe the developer could work with the community and consider single family homes to tie into the existing community? In conclusion, I strongly urge you to reconsider this proposed housing development, I believe that this project is simply not the right fit for our neighborhood. Thank you for your consideration, although the original rezoning protests of this project were previously ignored, I would hope you would give this the consideration deserved
3-I-25-DP Sandra (37914), March 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
1. How is the need for 3,000 parking stalls calculated? 2. Given that a certain % is for overflow parking, please require the overflow stalls to be pervious. 3. Will there be public access to the shoreline and conservation area? 4. Would a kayak/canoe launch be provided? Please forward to the proper DOT authority: South bound Asheville traffic turning onto the West Bound on ramp enters the ramp lane at excessive speeds creating a dangerous situation for the merging vehicles coming from the north bound Asheville lanes. Personal experience - many times I am merging having seen no oncoming vehicles but given the vehicles oncoming speed the cars are quickly upon me. I don't know if I explained this well, but there have been accidents and many, many near misses. Also: the traffic study did not mention the heavy volume exiting I-40 on the east bound off ramp, and both lanes back up to the interstate itself.
3-I-25-DP Kathi (37924), March 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Please see the attached file for my comments on the proposed development at 6125 River crossing drive. I want to make sure you are aware of the history of the land. Thank you! View Attachment
12-A-24-PD Robert H. (37914), March 13, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I am voicing my concerns about the proposed project that in my opinion will over tax the road with increased traffic and impact the surrounding area (neighborhood) in a negative manner.
4-W-25-RZ Katie (37918), March 25, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Hi Planning Commission, My husband and I live at [redacted] Snowood Dr (Neighbors) which is 2 lots over from where we found out on KGIS that Braden Family Properties bought a vacant lot since we saw the Knox Planning sign. The lot has a sign on our street with the #4W25RZ. I reached out to Mr Josh Braden with Braden Family Properties as I already followed him on Facebook before I saw the sign as I love his work. We would love to see 2 houses built on that lot, 3 would be excessive. He said the city was having problems with him putting just 2 houses, and 3 would be too many as that back alley extension off Ridgecrest is not wide enough and the lot size would be not big enough. The street would need to be widened to accommodate the higher traffic volume. The Trash and UPS/FedEx/ Amazon are already having to back down that street. The area would love to see 2 more houses as it would boost sales at-the grocery stores and area restaurants. Kroger is within walking distance and is only 1 mile away. Please approve him for 2 houses so he can start building them and also help our resell value to our house!! Thank you! Katie Stephens
4-K-25-RZ Melissa (37921), April 3, 2025 at 10:23 AM
We need more housing in Knoxville and I am not opposed to any initiative that seeks to provide such. I do ask for your serious consideration of improved traffic control on Ball Camp Pike, particularly the area in front of the parcel in question. I live in the neighborhood just north west (NorthWest Hills/Kingsmore Dr) and it is already very difficult to exit our neighborhood safely as cars race around the blind curve immediately to the right of our neighborhood exit. I anticipate this safety hazard to increase as more residents are added to the area. Thank you.
Ball Camp Pike already has more traffic (especially in the morning) than it can handle. By changing the zoning, the city is opening the current residents up to more traffic, and more potential for accidents. There is no plan by the city to address the traffic situation, which should include sidewalks, stop signs, and/or traffic lights. Unless and until the city puts a plan in place and implements that plan, I cannot support adding more residential homes on this property.
To whom it may concern: Though it maybe be good for the economy, I truly do not believe more than one dwelling should be allowed on the mentioned lot. All the surrounding houses have been here for decades. The people who have lived here for many years have grown accustomed to the calm and quietness of the area. Adding multiple residences to a lot that has been always been vacant will completely disrupt the norm that all the other residents who have been here for many years. Adding even more traffic to our quiet little street. There is also the matter of the driveway/access to the lot. There is no real access other than the very small back street that has trouble enough getting recycling and trash pick up for the small number of residents. Im not sure its ideal to have even more traffic on that street. Please take these issues into consideration. Thank you, Snowood neighbor
Thank you for the notice of the proposed zoning change. My family lives effectively next door to this property at [redacted] Ball Camp Pike. We are certainly interested in the future development of this property as RN-3 Medium Density. We are interested in the number and type of structures that will ultimately be built given the dimensional standards and the relatively small parcel size. The maximum number allowable for 2.7 acres is a concern. Additional concerns center around the exact nature of the proposed development, increased noise and increased traffic on weekday mornings, where traffic on Ball Camp often backs up to our house or beyond at the Western Avenue intersection. We are hopeful that the development, if approved, increases the value and curb appeal of that segment of Ball Camp Pike.
I am writing to formally oppose the proposed rezoning of the property located directly behind my home to Medium Density Residential (MDR). This change would significantly impact the character, privacy, and livability of our neighborhood. The increased traffic, noise, and potential strain on infrastructure are concerns shared by many nearby residents. Most importantly, the proposed density does not align with the existing single-family residential feel of our community and would directly affect the privacy and peaceful enjoyment of our homesespecially for those of us whose backyards border this property. I respectfully urge the planning commission to preserve the current zoning and maintain the integrity of our neighborhood.
While the comments that are stated to make it sound feasible and allowable for the subject property at 4423 Ball Camp Pike to create more housing, nothing is mentioned to indicate it would not be feasible. It is noted that Western Avenue has sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks; however, Ball Camp Pike does not! It noted that he propertys awalkable access to Hinton Drive that does have sidewalks to access Western Ave; however, there is NO WALKABLE access on Ball Camp Pike to get to Hinton, say nothing about trying to cross over to the sidewalk. Our concern is not a matter of a few additional units that will generate a small amount of increased traffic. The problem is that Ball Camp Pike already has traffic problems without generating any more. Northwest Hills already battles the cars coming around the blind curve at an unsafe rate of speed to try to exit our subdivision, which has one way in and out. It was mentioned that there are baseball fields up Ball Camp Pike, but nothing was noted that Victor Ashe Park hosts high school Track and Field events several weekends during the sport season. This brings a massive influx of traffic on Ball Camp Pike, and we will not be able to get out of our subdivision.
4-B-25-PA Lauren (37921), April 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I formally oppose this rezoning. I am right next to the proposed property. I bought my house because of the quiet and calm neighborhood. This will change that drastically. Ball Camp cannot take the traffic already present on a daily basis. The main road into West Haven has increased in traffic over the last few years. I am regularly awoken at night by cars revving engines and racing on both of those roads. Im constantly on alert just walking through the neighborhood because of the cars racing through. This will put a parking lot in my backyard. There is no need for this. The lot is large enough to build multiple single family homes that would fit the neighborhood as-is.
4-K-25-RZ Windie (37921), April 9, 2025 at 1:51 PM
While I am a proponent of the city’s efforts to increase housing options for individuals, I have concerns about and oppose the proposed rezoning of the cited property on Ball Camp Pike.
Without adjustments in the current traffic management infrastructure, adding multi-family housing units into this small area will further aggravate existing traffic issues and is likely to contribute to an increase in accidents in the area. I recommend that any rezoning of this area include specific plans for mitigating these risks.
Please see attached document regarding issues and details related to this case.
View Attachment
I live in the neighborhood that is very, very, near this property (Northwest Hills Subdivision) and 100% oppose any rezoning of it. EVERY PIECE OF PROPERTY AROUND THIS PROPERTY IS A SINGLE FAMILY HOME... THIS SHOULD BE ONE TOO!!! Additioannly, I am fairly certain that the current owners have been (since purchasing the property) KNOWINGLY violating current zoning rules by running a business from the property which is NOT zoned to run a business out of. As a result, it is my opinion and strong suspicion that the owners have zero respect for zoning laws and such (or abiding by them) and will equally abuse any further loosening of restrictions on the property (rezoning) that they may be successful in achieving. I understand that the proposed rezoning could ULTIMATELY result, in time, with building 39 Town Houses on the property. The number is irrelevant as any more than one home on the property is too much. As far as I am concerned, the property is in my neighborhood and (as such) should have only one single family HOME on it. Also, ( as others have noted) the traffic is already unbearable on ball road (especially in the morning) and the road just can NOT handle more traffic. Long story short, I vote no, No, NO, to this proposed rezoning!!
4-K-25-RZ Adrianne (37921), April 10, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Please consider the amount of increased traffic on Ball Camp that this potential subdivision will bring. It is already extremely difficult to exit our neighborhood, and at peak times takes awhile to get through the light at Copper Kettle and Western. Getting on the freeway at Western is already difficult and at times the on-ramp to i40 is backed up for 30 minutes or more. Additionally, this will bring noise to our neighborhood with the clearing of trees. It can possibly decrease our property value and increase crime. While Western Avenue is already somewhat sketchy at times, we enjoy a relatively safe and stable community in our subdivision. Lastly, trees have been cleared all over the surrounding areas. With increased people moving in and the resulting increased traffic, these trees are much needed to filter our air as well as the noise and light pollution in our area. Vote NO and please do not rubber stamp this re-zoning. Infrastructure is not in place to support an increase this large in homes, and current homeowners will be alienated by this re-zoning.
4-K-25-RZ Rick (37921), April 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Planning Commision, I have lived in Northtwest Hills Sub just down the road from 4423 Ball Camp for a couple decades. During this time I have seen the traffic increase dramatically due to Ball Camp being used as a thorough fare as well as new residence in the area. Morning and afternoon commute has created a backup down Ball Camp to the point the residence, like myself of Northwest Hills have an extremely difficult time entering and leaving our subdivision. At times, we are at the mercy of someone being kind enough to let us exit our subdivision in the morning which sometimes can be up to 10 minutes. Ball Camp is just a two lane road as you already know that handles too much traffic as it is. By allowing the new owners of 4423 Ball Camp to build townhomes or other multi-family dwellings would only exasperate an already bad situation. More families to the road would be adding more traffic particularly to the morning commute. In addition, the current owners have been operating a business out of this location since they purchased it. which already is disregarding zoning. I strongly oppose the granting of this zoning request.