Commission denies 109‑lot Strawberry Plains concept and development plans over park‑location condition

The Knoxville‑Knox County Planning Commission denied both the concept plan and the development plan for a proposed 109‑lot subdivision on Strawberry Plains Pike, citing a zoning condition that the required one‑acre amenity be centrally located within the development.

Opposition to the project came from nearby homeowners who said woodlands and privacy buffers had already been removed along the rear property lines and urged stronger protections. "I see no point in having a big giant development on that property," said Robert Bradley, a nearby resident, succinctly when public comment opened.

Applicant representative Drew Staten said the developer had negotiated down from an original rezoning request, added a one‑acre park and a 35‑foot non‑disturbance buffer after earlier hearings, and planned additional mitigation. The commission, however, concluded that the proposed location of the park (the applicant had placed the park in a lower, vegetated corner of the site) did not satisfy the rezoning condition that the amenity be centrally located and accessible to residents.

Commissioners debated topography and the logistics of locating a flat acre in the parcel’s terrain. County Commissioner Adam Thompson — who represented the local district during the rezoning stage and helped negotiate the conditions — told the commission the intent was to provide an accessible common green for residents: "If you're going to do a density of eight units an acre, let's give them a place to actually get out of the house and socialize and walk the dog and not have them ... crap in everybody else's driveway." The Planning Commission concluded the condition was not met and denied the submissions.

What’s next: The developer may revise the plans — including park siting and grading — and resubmit, or seek to clarify the zoning condition with County Commission. Neighbors urged any resubmission to show a more centrally positioned, usable one‑acre amenity plus robust edge buffers.