Triplexes approved for West Fifth Ave.
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
The need for housing played heavily in a Knoxville City Council vote Tuesday that overruled a Knoxville-Knox County Planning decision.
Developer R. Bentley Marlow appealed to the council on a rezoning ruling for Middle Housing at 1415 and 1409 West Fifth Avenue. He said the request for two-story triplex units was similar to four other developments in the area and was “not experimental.”
Marlow said the units comply with the middle housing code.
Real estate broker Parker Bartholomew said the three dwellings would fit into the character of the neighborhood and have porches and front doors facing the street. He referred to six units as affordable “starter homes” constructed with no tax break from the city.
Denzel Grant, the 6th District council member who represents the area, supported the appeal, saying the housing units would be “more attainable” and that additional housing is needed.
Debbie Helsley, at-large councilwoman for Seat B, asked Planning’s Amy Brooks for comments. Brooks said the planning staff recommended denial of the initial zoning change because the units had “doors on the sides” and did not meet the missing middle requirements. She cited the narrow lots and that only single-family homes were permitted in the zoning.
Marlow replied that he had purchased the lots from the KCDC with the understanding that he would put triplexes there, and had met the previous zoning regulations.
Second District Councilman Nathan Honeycutt noted the council’s role is “to act like a judge” in such matters. He said the council should follow Grant’s support. At-large Seat C’s Amelia Parker noted past approval of similar developments.
The appeal was granted in a 6-1 vote with Helsley voting “No.” Commissioners Lynne Fugate and Karyn Adams were absent from the meeting.
Improvements for Inskip Park were also approved in what District 5’s Charles Thomas called “another piece of the puzzle.” The council voted to fund new concrete decks for the increasingly popular pool in the neighborhood park. The $261,526 funding also includes replacing the wooden deck and ADA improvements there. The 12-acre park recently received a $263,530 Legacy Parks Foundation property acquisition, which was repaid by the city.
The council also approved dropping the tax rate on personal property to $1.3956 per $100 of assessed value, down from $2.1556, in a request from the Finance Department. Councilman Honeycutt noted the tax was “lowered to keep the budget neutral.”
In other actions, the council approved Mayor Indya Kincannon’s naming Amy Hathaway to the Neighborhood Advisory Council, amended a contract with Barge Design Solutions Inc. for the First Creek Greenway-Broadway Streetscape Project, and updated its Fleet Services Department’s software agreement.
Among the consent items passed with one vote were zoning changes for 5307 Ballard Drive, 103 Circle Lane and 318 Nancy Lynn Lane.
Two applications to the state were approved for funding transportation services and replacing an underground fuel tank.
