June 12, 2025
Planning Commission meeting
Planning Commission meeting
Public Comments
17 Comments for 11-I-20-RZ and 11-D-20-SP
Magnolia Pointe HOA October 30, 2020 at 12:55 PM
Good Afternoon, I am Deborah Pettit and president of the Magnolia Pointe Homeowners' Association. I, also, represent many people and subdivisions on Coward Mill and Reagan Road. On November 12, the MPC will be considering the two agenda items listed above. Our group has been active in many of the current and proposed developments. Most people moved here for the serenity and sense of community. Some have been here for over forty years. One of the things we are most concerned about is the proposed 5du/ac on this property. With the current subdivision next to this property, the former commission agreed with us to limit it to 3.5du/ac. We know we can't stop progress, but this area has farms and other subdivisions with only 3.5du/ac. Therefore, to keep with the established precedent that all previous parties have agreed to, we want to keep this development at the 3.5du/ac. Also, we hope this subdivision will not be allowed to begin building homes until Cherohala is finished. Even with the proposed widening of Coward Mill and the extension, the road will be very busy and the people in this area need to get used to 2 new subdivisions and a new school. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.Fredrik and Debra
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Fredrik and Debra (37931), November 3, 2020 at 10:38 AM
It is our understanding that a developer has bought a tract of land next to the current subdivision (by the big Propane tanks) on Coward Mill Road. The developer is asking for your approval for a 5du/ac which means five (5) dwelling units per acre. That will make the homes very close to one another. There are twelve (12) acres of land. That means sixty (60) new homes, Most homeowners make an average of four (4) trips per day which is two hundred forty (240) more cars on a winding Coward Mill Road.This is in addition to the current subdivision of one hundred fifteen(115) homes currently under construction and a new elementary school that has already been approved. All of the other subdivisions, after we fought for it, are 3.5du/ac. The other former commissioners agreed that the 3.5du/ac should be rejected and accepted the 3.5dc/ac to preserve the existing community.I am asking you to support the 3.5du/ac for this property and propose that the subdivision should not be allowed to begin construction until Cherahala is finished and Coward Mill is widened.
Kim
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Kim (37932), November 5, 2020 at 12:16 PM
First a little history - nearly 7 years ago when our group was advocating for the addition of a middle school in the NW Sector, we also strongly encouraged our county to consider the growth in our area and plan ahead by including an additional elementary school in this sector of our county into the 5 year capital plan. The new proposed NW Elementary School is underway and planned for Coward Mill Rd. The site selection for the school was vetted after KCS secured a purchase agreement of the parcel. Therefore, major infrastructure improvement costs, including improvements to Coward Mill Rd and extending Cherahala Rd, were bumped up on the county's list of priorities. As you might conclude, the financial burden for these improvements is significant, but necessary, as plans for the school move forward. As a result, the existing residents of Coward Mill Rd (most of which are long time, second and third generation) land owners have concerns. Last week I met with a group of community members to hear those concerns: traffic congestion and safety, easements, density, long term planning and future growth. I have spoken to the applicant and relayed these concerns to which he is taking into consideration. The community would like to see a density of 3 or less, which aligns with other developments nearby who have densities at 3.5, 1-3,1-3, and 1-3.5. The applicant is awaiting a determination from his engineer and I am awaiting the staff recommendation to determine how to bring the applicant and community members together.Randy
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Randy (37931), November 5, 2020 at 12:21 PM
I am writing to you in opposition of the proposed (slash & burn) development @ 10607 coward mill rd. I own and operate “Varmint Busters” at 10615 Coward Mill Rd. right next door. We are the oldest, most professional Wildlife Damage Management company in the state of Tennessee, licensed by TWRA since 1989. When I purchased this property the zoning was BPTO as was the surrounding property on both sides.I had to justify that my wildlife damage management company “fit” into this zoning. I searched long and hard for a good location because at certain times of the year we can be a little odiferous (skunk season). I felt obligated to find a location where I would not be a nuisance to surrounding neighbors. We have been at this location about 15 years now.
Recently the 30 acres between my property and Pellissippi was sold. This land has been tortured and hauled off like Mr. Peabody’s coal train did to Muhlenberg county Kentucky. All the timber has been removed and the ground scraped bare. Two small streams have been encapsulated in plastic pipe and buried underground. A bonified sinkhole approximately .3ac is now under about 30 ft. of fill dirt. My phone lines have been knocked out twice. A black cherry tree about 8inch DBH fell onto my property and power line and caught fire. Rural Metro saved the day! Since this 30 acres has been cleared the wind howls across my property like it never did before. I have an old steel door (standard exterior steel door about 50lbs) that leans against a shed post in the back of my property that blows over two or three times every week!!! I have had to replace both siding and roofing due to the constant wind that we never had before!
I think this is the same developer that now wants to develop 10607 Coward Mill Rd. The last planning meeting I went to at Hardin Valley School showed the Cherahala skyway/by-pass going through this property so what’s up with that?
One house / acre solves a lot of problems!!!
Matt & Jessica
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Matt & Jessica (37931), November 5, 2020 at 12:27 PM
To all Knox County Planning Commissioners:Subject: (CASE # 11-I-20-RZ, 11-D-20-SP) Proposed rezoning of 5.4 acres at 10607 Coward Mill Rd from BP (TO) to planned residential development (TO) up to 5 house/acre. Objectives: Keep traffic noise and congestion (bottleneck) to a minimum around and on Coward Mill Road and Phase 1 of Cherahala Extension.
Reasons for concern are as stated:
A. The PHASE 2 “Extension of Cherahala Blvd.” is to dissect this property and it seems inappropriate to be putting houses or anything on it at this time.
B. A New 900 student capacity elementary school is to be built adjacent to the East side of this property.
C. A subdivision with 118 homes (3.5/ acre) is going in adjacent to the West side of this property.
D. Increased congestion reduces the value and desirability of the existing homes in the area.
E. Any increase of number of houses of more than 3.5/acre would break the precedence already set for our area and would negatively change the housing plan in our community. We are aware that Coward Mill Road is to be upgraded for school bus safety, but it is to remain a two-lane road which will be required to carry all of this additional traffic.
We are not against responsible development. Please help us keep our housing and traffic congestion down, and our home values up. Thank you for your support and consideration.
Jessica
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Jessica (37931), November 5, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Subject: (CASE # 11-I-20-RZ, 11-D-20-SP) Proposed rezoning of 5.4 acres at 10607 Coward Mill Rdfrom BP (TO) to planned residential development (TO) up to 5 house/acre.Objectives: Keep traffic noise and congestion (bottleneck) to a minimum around and on Coward Mill Road and Phase 1 of Cherahala Extension.
Reasons for concern are as stated:A. The PHASE 2 ?Extension of Cherahala Blvd.? is to dissect this property and it seems inappropriate to be putting houses or anything on it at this time.B. A New 900 student capacity elementary school is to be built adjacent to the East side of this property.C. A subdivision with 118 homes (3.5/ acre) is going in adjacent to the West side of this property.
D. Increased congestion reduces the value and desirability of the existing homes in the area.E. Any increase of number of houses of more than 3.5/acre would break the precedence already set for our area and would negatively change the housing plan in our community.
We are aware that Coward Mill Road is to be upgraded for school bus safety, but it is to remain a two- lane road which will be required to carry all of this additional traffic.
We are not against responsible development. Please help us keep our housing and traffic congestion down, and our home values up. Thank you for your support and consideration.
James
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James (37931), November 5, 2020 at 2:23 PM
I have two concerns, 1) the “Phase 2 Extension of Cherahala Blvd” and 2) housing densities that exceed 3.5/acre. The Phase 2 Extension of Cherahala Blvd is planned to bisect the proposed development and once the houses are built, the road cannot be completed. This extension is critical to relieving traffic problems in the area, especially with the housing developments being built and the future 900-student elementary school. Can the county establish a right-of-way for the Phase 2 Extension of Cherahala Blvd? This will allow the reasonable development of the area without causing major traffic problems, especially given that the county is currently working to address this future problem.I realize that the zoning allows up to 5 houses per acre, but I want to emphasize that most of the houses in the area have lots greater than one acre. There is a subdivision being built that has 3.5 houses/acre and any development that exceeds this density would not fit into the current land use of the area.Greg and Susan
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Greg and Susan (37931), November 6, 2020 at 9:30 AM
To all knox county planning commissioners:Subject: (CASE # 11-I-20-RZ, 11-D-20-SP) Purposed rezoning of 5.4 acres at 10607 Coward Mill Rd from BP (TO) to planned residential development (TO) up to 5 house/acre.
Objectives: Keep traffic noise and congestion(bottleneck) to a minimum around and on Coward Mill Road and Phase 1 of Cherahala Extension.
Reasons for concern are as stated:
A. The PHASE 2 “Extension of Cherahala Blvd.” is to dissect this property and it seems inappropriate to be putting houses or anything on it at this time. B. A New 900 student capacity elementary school is to be built adjacent to the East side of this property. C. A subdivision with 118 homes ( 3.5/ acre) is going in adjacent to the West side of this property. D. Increased congestion reduces the value and desirability of the existing homes in the area. E. Any increase of number of houses of more than 3.5/acre would break the precedence already set for our area and would negatively change the housing plan in our community. We are aware that Coward Mill Road is to be upgraded for school bus safety, but it is to remain a two lane road which will be required to carry all of this additional traffic.We are not against responsible development. Please help us keep our housing and traffic congestion down, and our home values up. Thank you for your support and consideration.These are some concerns about the development and rezoning of the property ( known to us as the Zimmerman property).These are a few of the concerns that we think are important to voice for our community. Remember, Commissioners are appointed to protect our community’s interest and not the financial interest of a single developer.
Mary Ann
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Mary Ann (37931), November 6, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Please keep the the rezoning of this property to 3.5 houses per acre as is in keeping with other developments in this immediate area. Our concerns are the following: 1- Any change in the number of houses per acre would break the precedence and would negatively impact our area 2- Phase 2 of extension of Cherahala Blvd is to dissect this property and seems against County interests to put housing in at this time 3- A new elementary is to be built adjacent to this property. It would seem more practical for the county to wait for the school to be built to see how rezoning this property would affect the school traffic problems. 4- Increased congestion would reduce the desirability and thus property values of the existing homes in the area In closing - It seems against county interests to rezone this property until the road infrastructure has been built and the school is operational.Gary and Donna
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Gary and Donna (37931), November 7, 2020 at 10:09 AM
Gary and Donna Paulson respectfully request that you reject the 5 du/ac Coward Mill subdivision proposal from a developer and, instead, approve it as a 3.5 du/ac subdivision.Development in this area will continue and we have no problem with that as long as the density is controlled. To us, 3.5 du/ac is reasonable and will help control future congestion on the area roads, will contribute to better air quality, and will help make the community a more desirable place to live.
Thomas
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Thomas (37931), November 8, 2020 at 6:37 PM
I am writing regarding my growing concern about the potential for traffic congestion and noise around and on Coward Mill Road and Phase 1 of the Cherahala Extension that will only be further exacerbated by the above referenced rezoning and sector plan amendment at 10607 Coward Mill Road. Specifically, my concerns are as follows:The PHASE 2 "Extension of Cherahala Blvd." is to bisect this property, and it seems inappropriate to authorize higher density home construction on this property at this time based on the current plans for the Phase 2 extension of Cherahala Blvd. through this property.
Knox County Schools is constructing a new 900 student elementary school directly adjacent to the east side of this property.
An 118 home (3.5 du/acre) subdivision is under construction directly adjacent to the west side of the above referenced property.
The potential increased congestion has a negative impact on the safety, seclusion, and value of the existing homes in this area.
Any increase in the density of homes above 3.5 du/acre would exceed the precedent already established by the planning commission for this area, resulting in a negative impact on the overall housing density of this area.While I am aware of Knox County's plans to widen Coward Mill Road for school bus traffic, it is still to remain a two-lane road which will be required to carry a large amount of additional traffic with the addition of the new school and subdivision noted above.
While I am not opposed to responsible development, I am concerned that the density of the proposed rezoning will have a negative impact on the traffic safety and quality of life that hopefully remain paramount in your planning goals for the future development of this property and the properties in this area.
Jones and Betty November 9, 2020 at 2:01 AM
We have several concerns about this purposed development:Safety- There are natural gas storage tanks within a 150 yards South-West of this property.Safety at the purposed (900 student) elementary school adjacent to the North-West side of this property: the "Phase 2 Extension of Cherahala Blvd" is to bisect this property and could easily provide a second entrance and exit to the school for emergency equipment and for evacuation of the school if needed. This second school entrance would also reduce traffic on the two lane Coward Mill Road.There is also a 118 home subdivision (3.5/acre) being built adjacent to the West side of this property which will increase traffic along with the school( buses and cars) traffic.
Any increase in the number of houses of more than 3.5/acre would break the precedent already set for our area and would negatively change the housing plan in our community.
An Increased traffic congestion would reduce the value and desirability of the existing homes in the area.Keeping traffic noise and a bottleneck congestion to a minimum around and on Coward Mill Road and Phase 1 of Cherahala Extension, is essential for all who live and travel on Coward Mill Road.
We thank the Commissioners for protecting the safety and interest of existing home owners and for future responsible development in our community.
Lisa November 10, 2020 at 11:18 AM
The neighbors feel that 3 d/u per acre would be more suitable for this property. There are several concerns about the lack of road infrastructure, although supposedly some is planned for the future, but that does not help the neighborhood now. Further, sidewalks should be required for this development.Kim November 10, 2020 at 2:41 PM
Just a quick note regarding existing development densities in this area. Please see original correspondence below:View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20201110144156.pdf
Joyce November 11, 2020 at 7:45 PM
I am writing in regards to the November 12 MPC meeting, agenda #20 11-D-20-SP and 11-l-20-RZ. I am asking that you deny Agenda Item #20 for 5 dwelling/acre and approve only 3 dwellings per acre. PLEASE set a precedence to builders for this area’s future development.View Attachment
https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20201112181459.pdf
Marilynn November 11, 2020 at 8:06 PM
dear commissionersour interest in this area w/minimum 3 acres per home, was to "get away". we decided moving to an area that is more expensive than where we were gives us some breathing room... "ahhhhhhhhhh".helps preserve our sanity... truly!it was un-nerving to be so close to neighbors & hear sneezing, phone conversations, lawn mowerson top of us. we paid more... and the taxes are higher. but, as long as we can maintain our values,YOU all reap the revenue from the higher taxation.
you are the "fiduciaries" of our *home sweet homes* please consider minimizing the congestion.we need a buffer ! h e l l l l p p p !!!
Marilynn
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Marilynn (37931), November 12, 2020 at 6:16 PM
our interest in this area w/minimum 3 acres per home, was to "get away". we decided movingto an area that is more expensive than where we were gives us some breathing room... "ahhhhhhhhhh". helps preserve our sanity... truly!it was un-nerving to be so close to neighbors & hear sneezing, phone conversations, lawn mowerson top of us. we paid more... and the taxes are higher. but, as long as we can maintain our values,YOU all reap the revenue from the higher taxation.
you are the "fiduciaries" of our *home sweet homes* please consider minimizing the congestion.we need a buffer ! h e l l l l p p p !!!