Knoxville City Council Regular Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Knoxville City Council met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM for its regular meeting. Seven council members were present. The meeting included approval of consent items, a mayor's report, and several resolutions and ordinances. Key debates centered on two zoning appeals for middle housing developments on West Fifth Avenue, which council voted to approve, overturning prior Planning Commission denials.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the August 27, 2026 workshop and September 1, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• The consent agenda (including proposed ordinances on second reading 10d and resolutions 12k-12l) was approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elliot Lloyd (708 Morgan Street) spoke during public forum, advocating for city resources to prioritize safe accessible sidewalks, dependable public transit, and a community response program over parking and stadiums. He noted progress on sidewalks but requested continued improvement.
• Rick Roach (speaking for Community Defense of East Tennessee) read a statement calling for the city to fund an alternative response initiative (Knoxville Hart) instead of additional police funding. He cited statistics that 67% of fatal KPD encounters with community calls involved mental health or medical crises. He urged the chief to resign and criticized spending priorities.

Discussion Items

• Appeals of Middle Housing Denials (Items 11e and 11f): Two applications by R. Bentley Marlow to build triplexes at 1415 and 1409 W Fifth Avenue were denied by the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission. Appellant argued the design exactly matched four previously approved projects on Moses Avenue and James Avenue, and that the Planning Commission's denial was arbitrary and capricious. The appellant stated the lots (non-conforming, narrow) could not feasibly be developed as single-family homes without multiple variances. Planning Director Amy Brooks explained staff's position that the proposed structures did not meet missing middle standards for neighborhood scale and harmony, and that the design resembled a "slot house" discouraged by staff. Several council members noted that the triplex definition in the code does not mandate all units face the street, and that the appellant's proposals met dimensional and design standards. Councilmember Grant (District 6) urged support, citing the need for attainable housing. Councilmember Honeycutt clarified the council's quasi-judicial role is to interpret existing code. Councilmember Thomas and others ultimately deferred to the district representative.
• Resolution 12j – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force: A resolution authorizing an agreement with TBI for training conference funding ($130,000 annually). Public speaker Rick Roach asked for details. Chief Noel explained the funding supports annual training for over 70 law enforcement agencies across Tennessee to combat online child exploitation. The resolution passed.
• Ordinance 13m – Certified Tax Rate: An emergency ordinance setting a certified tax rate at $1.3956 per $100 of assessed value (down from $2.1556) as required after reappraisal. CFO Boyce Evans provided information. Councilmember Honeycutt praised the budget-neutral reduction for families. Passed.
• Other Consent and Routine Items: Items 12g (Broadway Streetscape contract amendment), 12h (Chevin Fleet software upgrade), 12i (Inskip Pool deck replacement), 13n (alley closure, Wright Street), and several others were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Appeal granted for 1415 W Fifth Avenue (Item 11e): Motion to approve carried (voice vote; 5 votes required, appeared unanimous). Overturned Planning Commission's denial.
• Appeal granted for 1409 W Fifth Avenue (Item 11f): Motion to approve carried (voice vote). Similarly overturned denial, with applicant incorporating prior testimony.
• Resolution 12j approved: Funding for Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force training.
• Ordinance 13m approved: Certified tax rate set at $1.3956, reducing the previous rate.
• Public forum concluded without formal action.
• Next steps: The appellant will need to obtain building permits and meet all other zoning requirements.