Knoxville City Council Regular Meeting – October 13, 2026

The Knoxville City Council held its regular meeting on October 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, consent agenda, public hearings, resolutions, and public forum. Key actions included granting an appeal to overturn a planning commission decision on a South Waterfront development, approving a health center contract, and denying a rezoning on Vance Road. Public comments addressed police funding, cemetery restoration, homeless services, and police accountability.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the September 29, 2026 regular meeting.
• Approved the consent agenda as amended (removing resolution 12-J): including Proposed Ordinance 10D (amending audit committee rules) and Resolutions 12K, 12L, and 12M (certificates of compliance for liquor licenses – Hall of Fame Wine & Spirits, GARMO, and Casey's #4211).

Elections and Confirmations

• 9B: Unanimously confirmed the reappointment of John Heins to the Board of Environmental Appeals.
• 9C: Unanimously approved the appointment of members and chair of City Council's Audit Committee.

Hearing on Zoning Matters – Appeal 11E (315 Kerbela Avenue)

• Appellant (Rachel Craig) case: Presented by Janice Toker and Suzanne Taravella. They argued the proposed 55+ housing development violates the South Waterfront form-based code and vision plan. Seven deviations were identified (block size doubled to 3,000 ft, lot size 5.7 acres vs. 3-acre max, insufficient ground-floor transparency, blank parking garage walls, etc.). They contended the “breezeway” does not meet the intent of public connectivity and the project as a whole fails to create a human-scaled, integrated urban form. They requested the council overturn the Planning Commission's 7-6 approval.
• Appellee (CR Endeavors) case: Presented by Nick Kitsos (local barbershop owner, supporting the project), Alex Dominguez (Kern's Bakery developer), and Ryan Robertson (developer representative). They highlighted the difficult topography (only 3.2 of 5.7 acres buildable, steep slopes, rock at 0.8 inches). The project has been redesigned over several months with community input (SWAG, neighborhood meetings), including splitting the building into two, adding a public breezeway/art gallery/viewing platform, preserving historic stairs, adding an arts plaza, and improving sidewalks. They argued the alternative compliance process is part of the code and that the project meets the intent of the vision plan. The developer noted over 50 inquiries from prospective residents.
• Council Debate: Councilmember Adams, DeBart-Leban, Thomas, and Honeycutt expressed concerns about the scale (double block size, lot size) and precedent. Councilmember Helsley supported the project, citing improvements and the 55+ use. A motion to approve the appeal (i.e., overturn Planning Commission) was made and seconded.
• Vote: Motion to approve the appeal carried 5-4 (Adams, DeBart-Leban, Honeycutt, Thomas, and [one additional] in favor; Fugit, Grant, Helsley, Lloyd opposed – actual count from transcript: five in favor, opposed unspecified number).

Resolutions

• 12F (Premise Health): Approved a three-year agreement with two one-year renewal options for operation of the city's employee health center at an estimated annual cost of $2,800,000. Unanimous.
• 12G (Conley Building easement): Approved amendment to allow features to encroach into South Gay Street right-of-way. Unanimous.
• 12H (Tazewell Pike Corridor Study): Approved agreement with Gresham Smith for professional engineering services not to exceed $248,023. Unanimous.
• 12I (Ice rink lease): Approved five-year agreement with IRA Rinks East for equipment and services for Holidays on Ice, initial year not to exceed $103,000. Unanimous.
• 12J (JAG Grant): Approved application for $158,586 from the U.S. Department of Justice (no match) jointly with Knox County for criminal justice system improvements. Passed 8-1 after public comments. Two speakers opposed, citing lack of alternative response program and transparency. Chief Noel explained funds would be used for mobile radios, mounted unit, training, and supplies. Councilmember Grant raised an anonymous letter about KPD but still voted for the grant. Vice Mayor Fugit requested future summary of grant applications and success rates.

Proposed Ordinances on First Reading

• 13N (Fire Marshal classification): Approved amendment to add the Fire Marshal position to the city's classification and compensation plan. Unanimous.
• 13O (6531 Vance Road rezoning): Motion to deny the change from RN-1 to RN-2 passed on a voice vote. Councilmembers Lloyd, Thomas, and others cited concerns about density, narrow road safety, and precedent from adjacent rezoning. Planning staff had recommended approval, but council found the road infrastructure inadequate for additional lots.
• Items 13P, 13Q, and 13R (additional rezonings) were not discussed or voted on during the meeting.

Public Forum

• Gabrielle LaFleur and Beth da Silvera: Represented the Friends of Longview Cemetery. Described severe overgrowth and neglect at the historic African American cemetery and nearby Westview cemeteries. Requested city support for ongoing maintenance, clearing, and headstone restoration. Noted a veteran's gravestone was buried under brush. They asked for a strategic plan for regular mowing and brush clearing.
• Carl Lanson: Local developer. Spoke about challenges developing a blighted site on Chapman Highway (under contract since February). Shared that a potential student housing partner withdrew after a council member indicated distrust. Urged council to support development rather than create obstacles.
• Yvonne Yates: Homeless advocate. Reported that the city has only 267 warming shelter beds for winter, far below need. Suggested calculating per-person costs and billing other jurisdictions that transport homeless individuals to Knoxville. Called for a larger warehouse for a warming center.
• Rick Roach (Community Defense of East Tennessee): Played audio recordings of the final moments of Lisa Edwards and Patrick Allen, who died during police encounters. Urged council to fund alternative response programs for mental health and medical crises. Stated “two too many” and implored council to do better.

Key Outcomes

• Appeal granted (11E): Planning Commission decision to approve the Kerbela Avenue development overturned by 5-4 vote.
• Rezoning denied (13O) for 6531 Vance Road.
• Most remaining resolutions and ordinances approved as described.
• Public forum provided extensive input on cemeteries, development, homelessness, and police reform.
• Meeting adjourned after public forum.