Knox County approves Ebener Road rezoning with neighborhood conditions and lot cap

Knox County commissioners voted to approve a mixed office and planned residential rezoning for parcels along Ebener Road after residents and the developer negotiated a package of binding conditions.

The commission accepted a substitute motion that limited the residential portion to a maximum of 51 lots (presented as 4.68 units per acre equivalent) and adopted written conditions that include retaining the 35-foot peripheral setback adjacent to existing neighborhoods, prohibiting stub-outs or new connectivity into Briar Glenn and Suburban Hills, requiring six-foot ‘Green Giant’ trees at approximately 12 feet on center near the property line (neighbors may pay the difference to plant larger stock), and funding a traffic study at the developer’s expense with the entrance off Ebener Road. Commissioner Oster moved the primary motion setting these conditions; the substitute motion to limit lots passed 7–4.

Ben Mullin, representing the applicant, told commissioners the development plan would concentrate units in the previously disturbed area and that planners and engineering judged the parcel appropriate for the proposed mix of uses. “We listened to their feedback and we’re okay to respect their wishes and not connect through their neighborhoods whatsoever,” Mullin said while describing meetings with neighbors and conditions negotiated before the vote.

Neighborhood counsel Wayne Kleene, who represented Briar Glenn and Suburban Hills, told the commission the developer and neighbors had reached an unusual level of agreement. “I have never seen an agreed-upon condition supported by this number of people at County Commission ever,” Kleene said, asking the commission to pair with the neighborhood and the developer in approving the agreed conditions.

Commissioners debated density, infill goals and road capacity. Commissioner Jay argued the higher lot count promotes infill near corridors and can help produce more affordable housing options; other commissioners cited concerns about road topography and long-term capacity. County engineering staff (Director Snowden) and the developer referenced traffic impact analysis and field counts in support of the motion; commissioners required the traffic study and entrance location as part of the approval.

The commission’s final action clarified that the written conditions and development-plan limitations will carry forward to permit review and that the approved lot cap (51 lots) will be enforced as part of the zoning approval.

The action was procedural with a final vote recorded as approved; commissioners said enforcement will occur at the development-plan stage and through staff review of the required traffic study and landscape/ buffer plans.