BZA approves several residential variances, including lot‑intensity and periphery reductions

The Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals approved multiple variances affecting residential properties across the county at its September meeting, including periphery boundary reductions, a lot‑intensity waiver and side‑yard adjustments.

Approved items included a periphery boundary waiver for Elizabeth Wright (5C) reducing a 35‑ft peripheral boundary to 30 ft for an unusually narrow, steep lot in the Chesn Hills neighborhood; a side‑yard setback waiver for Ronnie Kener (5E) to reduce a side setback from 10 ft to 7 ft to permit an access easement; a lot‑intensity waiver for Joshua Horn (5G) allowing two dwellings on a parcel where one acre per dwelling is the baseline in AG zoning; and a peripheral boundary reduction from 35 ft to 32 ft for Stephen Ward (5H) where adjacent land use (a school) and prior approvals supported the relief. Most approvals were uncontested and carried by voice vote; one lot‑intensity vote recorded a single no vote (as noted in the transcript) but individual tallies are not fully enumerated in the record.

Board members and staff repeatedly reminded applicants that approvals do not remove subsequent planning or permitting requirements and that subdivision or other planning actions may be required depending on the change approved.