KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Commission was set Monday night to consider changing the options citizens have to appeal planning commission decisions for development plans.
They voted to approve the ordinance on the first reading, with a new amendment. It will be discussed at their next regular meeting in August. Commissioners John Schoonmaker, Terry Hill and Courtney Durrett voted against it. Dasha Lundy decided to pass on the vote.
Because of the amendment, they had to pass it on first reading. It was originally set to be decided on the second reading. After an ordinance passes on the second reading, it goes into effect.
Larsen Jay, who voted for the changes to the appeal process, said they he did not think it was appropriate for a citizen committee to make decisions impacting planned developments if they did not have engineering experience.
People unhappy with how the Knoxville-Knox County Planning handles a "use on review" development plan such as a subdivision plan have been able to ask the Board of Zoning Appeals to step in. Proponents including former BZA members say while it isn't used often it's a useful option for the public.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Commissioner Randy Smith earlier this year approached the commission about halting people's option to go to the BZA and directing residents to file an appeal directly with a judge. A proposed ordinance reflecting the Jacobs pitch was prepared for commission, but it's now been changed.
Jacobs told commissioners in May he thought the move would streamline and speed up appeals at a time when the county is facing a housing inventory shortage. The county needs more rooftops — quickly, he said.
Opponents say the BZA means of appeal gives citizens one more way to express their voice.
The revised ordinance directs citizens to either appeal to the BZA or to sue in court. But, it would also allow the developer pitching the plan to essentially overrule the option of going to the BZA in favor of a lawsuit.
