Knox County delays controversial Y Way Lane road‑closure after residents, fire officials raise safety concerns
January 30, 2026 | Knox County, Tennessee
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The Knox County Commission voted Jan. 29 to postpone for 90 days a decision on a proposed closure of part of Y Way Lane in Commission District 9 after extended public testimony and questioning by commissioners.
Residents Jason Whitsell and property owners Larry Gray and Emily Grama told the commission the proposed closure — which would turn a county right-of-way into private property for adjacent owners — would reduce emergency access to their homes and offer private benefit without a clear public safety gain. Gray said some of the land in question came into dispute after Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) condemnation work related to the Alcoa Highway project and that the family has pending litigation over TDOT compensation.
County engineering staff and Director Jim Snow told commissioners utility easements would be retained if the county closed the right-of-way, and that utilities (KUB) would need to be contacted for any relocation. Rural Metro initially raised concerns in a letter about emergency access; commissioners later said an email from Rural Metro narrowed those concerns but that the agency’s safety input needed to be resolved.
Commissioners discussed multiple options raised during the meeting: closing only the unused turnaround (a platted area that was never developed), partially closing the linear portion of the road, or keeping the roadway open to the property line of the closest neighboring parcel so emergency vehicles retain access. Director Snow provided maps and staff indicated a field survey and further mapping would be required to settle exact property lines.
After working through several proposed amendments and hearing both sides, the commission approved a 90‑day postponement, 11–0, to allow staff to obtain a survey, meet with the Grays and Whittsles, and map possible partial closures that would preserve emergency access while accommodating property‑owner needs.
Commission staff said they would attempt to schedule field marking and a survey and return with options for the commission to consider.
Residents Jason Whitsell and property owners Larry Gray and Emily Grama told the commission the proposed closure — which would turn a county right-of-way into private property for adjacent owners — would reduce emergency access to their homes and offer private benefit without a clear public safety gain. Gray said some of the land in question came into dispute after Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) condemnation work related to the Alcoa Highway project and that the family has pending litigation over TDOT compensation.
County engineering staff and Director Jim Snow told commissioners utility easements would be retained if the county closed the right-of-way, and that utilities (KUB) would need to be contacted for any relocation. Rural Metro initially raised concerns in a letter about emergency access; commissioners later said an email from Rural Metro narrowed those concerns but that the agency’s safety input needed to be resolved.
Commissioners discussed multiple options raised during the meeting: closing only the unused turnaround (a platted area that was never developed), partially closing the linear portion of the road, or keeping the roadway open to the property line of the closest neighboring parcel so emergency vehicles retain access. Director Snow provided maps and staff indicated a field survey and further mapping would be required to settle exact property lines.
After working through several proposed amendments and hearing both sides, the commission approved a 90‑day postponement, 11–0, to allow staff to obtain a survey, meet with the Grays and Whittsles, and map possible partial closures that would preserve emergency access while accommodating property‑owner needs.
Commission staff said they would attempt to schedule field marking and a survey and return with options for the commission to consider.
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