KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Plans for a proposed gas station in the Concord area are moving forward, with the Knox County Planning Commission having approved the development.
The project will build a new gas station and space for a restaurant with a drive-thru behind Concord Road.
Behind the road, some neighbors said they were upset about the new development project.
The project would effectively build a new gas station in the area, with space for a "Calloway's Tennessee Kitchen" restaurant with a possible drive-thru lane. Plans for the project show space for seven pumps and parking along a convenience store building.
The approval, however, came with some conditions. The initial seven-gas pump plan has now been decreased to four pumps. Developers also must add tree protection fencing and the drive-thru must be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. with noise regulations.
Some of the neighbors in the area expressed their concerns with WBIR.
Charles Ellis lives in the area with his family and said they received a letter about the development, which initially sparked their worry.
"A large national chain is planning on opening a gas station and restaurant with a drive-thru," Ellis said. "This is wrong for the area."
According to Taylor Harris, the president of the Old Concord Residence Association in the village, there were several issues the neighbors wanted to address with the county.
"It's way too large for that lot and for our community, it's going to drive a lot of traffic into our neighborhood," Harris said. "We have a historic zoning overlay from Knox County, we're on the National Registry of Historic Places."
Harris said they want to preserve the historic atmosphere of the area.
While the planning commission's decision is final, it can be heard by a legislative body if appealed to city council.