Knox County BZA grants vegetative‑boundary variance to Union Baptist Church; commissioner recuses

The Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals granted Union Baptist Church’s request to reduce a peripheral vegetative boundary from 50 feet to 35 feet along areas abutting residential lots so the church can construct an access road at 6701 Washington Pike.

Applicant Harry Brooks told the board that the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) required an additional entrance for the sports field development and that sight‑line considerations at the new exit mean landscaping must be limited in the identified area. Staff clarified the specific relief needed: a reduction from a 50‑foot peripheral boundary to 35 feet along the segment abutting residential property. Board member Philip Graves announced he would recuse himself from this case because of “former business dealings with the church and my familiarity with the applicant.” The board then moved and voted to approve the variance where it abuts residential lots (motion carried; tally not specified).

Board members and codes staff discussed safety and sight‑distance exceptions for landscaping in visibility easements and confirmed that landscaping would not be required within sight‑distance areas. The board recorded the variance and advised the applicant to follow MPC and county permitting steps as the project moves forward.