Knoxville BZA approves most variance requests, denies two, and postpones one duplex application

The City of Knoxville Board of Zoning Appeals heard a docket of variance requests and in a single session approved several items, denied two, and postponed another for further revision. The board followed its standard order of staff comments, applicant presentations, public comment, board discussion, and motion/vote.

Approvals included variances for three single-family/middle-housing lots where staff and applicants cited sinkhole/geotechnical constraints and lot-size/shape restrictions (BZA260020, BZA260021, BZA260022). Board members emphasized that the lot shapes and topography — including closed-depression sinkhole activity noted by geotechnical reports — justified relief so the applicants could place homes without excessive engineering remediation.

The board denied BZA260028, a request from a homeowner seeking to build a rear addition, concluding the lot provided reasonable alternative placement and that the applicant had not shown the required hardship. The board also denied BZA260030, an accessory-structure and impervious-coverage request, where members recommended alternatives (attaching a smaller garage, removing pavement, or using permeable paving) and found the requests exceeded what was necessary to preserve reasonable use.

The board postponed BZA260029, a missing-middle duplex front-setback request, to the June meeting to allow the applicant to revise plans and calculate the minimum variance needed; staff said a postponement would enable accurate public notice for any revised request.

The board also approved BZA260031 (rear setback reduction for an oddly shaped lot) and BZA260032 (parking reduction for a mixed-use building, described in more detail in a separate article) and concluded the docket with an announcement of the next meeting on June 16 at 4 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- BZA260027 (townhouse driveway separation): approved (variance granted)
- BZA260020 (single-family front/interior setbacks): approved (variance granted)
- BZA260021 (single-family setbacks): approved (variance granted)
- BZA260022 (setback / corner clearance): approved (variance granted)
- BZA260028 (rear setback for a home addition): denied (lack of hardship)
- BZA260029 (missing-middle duplex front setback): postponed to allow revised site plan and public notice
- BZA260030 (accessory structure / impervious coverage): denied (lack of hardship)
- BZA260031 (rear setback for single-family dwelling): approved (variance granted)
- BZA260032 (off-street parking reduction for IMU building): approved (variance granted)

Several applicants cited geotechnical constraints, lot shape, or historical lot-size reductions from railroad rights-of-way as the reasons their proposals required relief. The board consistently asked whether lesser modifications or alternative placements could avoid variances and, where possible, directed applicants to work with staff on reduced requests before returning to the board.

The meeting closed with the chair announcing the next BZA meeting date. Appeals of BZA decisions may be filed with Knoxville City Council as prescribed by BZA rules.