Public officer affirms emergency condemnation for unpermitted nightclub at 2412 East Magnolia

Nicholas Bradshaw, the city's public officer, affirmed an emergency condemnation on Sept. 25 for 2412 East Magnolia Avenue, finding the structure "unsafe, unlawful, and unfit for human occupancy" after police, fire and zoning staff presented evidence the property had been operating as a nightclub without required permits or life-safety systems.

Captain Nevin Long of the Knoxville Police Department testified that interior photos showed drink menus, lighting and dance poles and that officers had found the site "operating as a nightclub." He said repeated disturbances, fights, unlicensed security and underage attendance prompted multiple criminal and quality-of-life complaints. Fire Department staff and the building plans reviewer told the panel the structure lacks required egress and a fire-sprinkler system for assembly occupancy. "This location was obviously ... operating as a nightclub," Captain Long said during his testimony.

The city's zoning and building-inspections director said the applicant had filed a business tax registration listing "lounges, taverns and bars" but never obtained a special-use approval required in the CG zoning district; an application for conversion to an assembly occupancy was submitted but revisions were never completed and no permit issued. Troy Jones, attorney for FH Rentals LLC (the owner's trustee), said the trust "agree[s] with the condemnation" but asked that the condemnation be stayed while chancery-court matters are resolved so the lots can be returned to single-family use.

Bradshaw affirmed the existing emergency order for 2412 and separately affirmed the emergency order for 2414, warning that if owners fail to take corrective action the structures will remain placarded and vacated and the city may proceed to demolition or other corrective measures and place a lien for costs. The decision references city code authority read at the start of the hearing and rests on KPD incident reports, fire-division postings and the lack of an issued building permit for change of occupancy.

What happens next: the emergency orders remain in effect and the city said it will not issue permits for an assembly use unless the owner successfully completes required plan revisions and inspections; the owner's counsel said he would seek chancery-court authority to restore single-family use in the meantime.