June 11, 2026
Planning Commission meeting

Public Comments

8 Comments for

4-A-26-OB
Amy (37923), May 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM

I was so excited to learn about the development of a 55+ community in downtown Knoxville. I respectfully request that the planning commission support this development.

This would allow my senior father the opportunity to downsize while remaining in the vibrant area he loves. He is a retired UT professor, and has invested and lived in downtown Knoxville for 40+ years. There are many like him who have invested in and live in the 4th and Gill and Park Ridge areas, and need to transition.

Regarding comments about increased traffic----this isn't student or young adult housing. Seniors are much less likely to drive. Professionally managed communities typically provide transportation via shuttles / small buses.

May 12, 2026
at 3:05 PM

6-C-26-RZ

Steven
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Steven (37923), May 20, 2026 at 7:38 AM

Emphasis should be placed on improving the residences along Dutchtown Road with a definite limit on the number of homes permitted. Under no circumstances should the Commission permit more than four units per acre. High density residential (such as apartment units) would negatively affect the infrastructure of the area.

May 20, 2026
at 7:38 AM

6-C-26-RZ

Ray
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Ray (37923), May 21, 2026 at 9:54 AM

Adding high density housing along this stretch of Dutchtown Road simply adds to the already increasing traffic volume the current residents are experiencing. In addition, putting this development across the road from one of the entrances to Christian Academy school can lead to further traffic problems during special events. Finally, although it doesn't happen often, this area tends to collect standing water during periods of heavy rain and I'm wondering how further development will affect this issue.

May 21, 2026
at 9:54 AM

6-C-26-RZ

Margaret
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Margaret (37923), May 25, 2026 at 9:56 AM

I have lived at my home in Dutchtown Harbor Subdivision since 1996 and have seen two major floods that caused extensive problems for my subdivision. After the first flood in the mid-nineties, Dutchtown Road was flooded at our original entrance that caused that major road to be closed for several weeks, and a lot of our property was also flooded. Sandbags prevented home damage. Subsequently the road was raised several feet that closed that entrance and a large retaining wall was built by the county at the side of our common property between us and CAK. This was supposed to prevent future flooding. Raising the street has prevented Dutchtown Road from flooding but in 2019 our property was flooded again, this time causing the flooding of two of our homes and major flooding on Saint Thomas and several of our homeowners' property. There has also been continuing construction of more homes/townhomes/apartments along Dutchtown very close our subdivision with more land currently being cleared for more townhomes. All this construction decreases land area that would help with water runoff, and I have not seen any improvements for better drainage. I am very concerned that construction of multiple duplexes will greatly increase the chances of flooding of our property in the near future. Please address our infrastructure needs before approving any more construction.

May 25, 2026
at 9:56 AM

6-C-26-RZ

Kimberly
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Kimberly (37923), May 26, 2026 at 3:47 PM

As a resident of the Gulf Park Subdivision, I am hesitant of this rezoning and proposed usage. I use Dutchtown Road each day as I take my child to and from CAK. I use the Academy Way entrance at least twice a day, if not more. As I exit the Gulf Park neighborhood off of Sanders Road each morning and afternoon and turn left onto Dutchtown there is already a myriad of traffic concerns - one in particular with the house that is almost directly across from Sanders Road. Honestly, there are just a lot of people using this road to get to different schools and to Pellissippi Parkway.

The new duplexes/townhomes being built further down the road along with new apartments that will only increase the traffic onto Dutchtown. Currently, there is not a traffic light on Dutchtown Road from Cedar Bluff Road until you get to Pellissippi Parkway. (2.2 miles) Potentially adding 12 more dwellings onto Dutchtown Road, especially right in front of Academy Way, is only going to increase the traffic load onto an already heavily traversed area.

I'm also concerned with flooding. In 2019 and 2020, Cedar Bluff Road and Dutchtown Road saw significant flooding. The latest flood risk assessment was completed in 1999. Further studies need to be completed before anymore development.

May 26, 2026
at 3:47 PM

6-C-26-RZ

Liz
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Liz (37923), May 27, 2026 at 1:35 PM

Dutchtown does not need anymore developments! Traffic is already too high with all of the schools in the area and we don't need apartments here!! Furthermore, this area already has a problem with flooding and all this will do is displace more water and cause more issues!

May 27, 2026
at 1:35 PM

6-C-26-RZ

Chad
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Chad (37923), June 4, 2026 at 11:09 AM

How future drainage and where it would drain to needs to be considered in an area with poor drainage and a history of flooding so nearby houses are not flooded and damaged. See pdf attached.
View Attachment

https://agenda.knoxplanning.org/attachments/20260604110927.pdf

June 4, 2026
at 11:09 AM

6-C-26-RZ

Lisa
37923

6-C-26-RZ
Lisa (37923), June 7, 2026 at 8:42 AM

I am a concerned property owner that this will affect because our property backs up to the proposed rezoning area. My concerns are for water drainage and barriers to protect our property. How will the drainage be addressed especially since in 2019 the flood waters were well into our property, which took days if not weeks to fully resolve. Nothing has been addressed about those issues and to now propose to build multiple units along that area is a HUGE concern. Dutchtown can not take more concentration of housing along this area with 2 private schools that release onto dutchtown near this location and multiple new properties being built not even mentioning the huge apartment complex that is being built just a short distance down the road. The infrastructure of this area is being pushed beyond its limits already without adding the potential for more units to be developed in an already heavily traveled road. I believe approving this land for residential building will not improve our area and will only cause more issues. Please take our concerns to heart as property owners that will be directly affected by the rezoning decision.

June 7, 2026
at 8:42 AM