Knoxville — The Planning Commission approved a planned‑residential rezoning on a 6.53‑acre parcel on Ebenezer Road to allow up to 10 dwelling units per acre for a townhouse‑style development, despite strong neighborhood concern over school capacity and traffic safety.

Taylor Forrester, representing the applicant, described the proposal as townhouse development near existing commercial areas and Bluegrass Elementary School; he said the area has “sidewalks on both sides of Ebenezer” and a crosswalk connecting to nearby retail. “This area is ripe for development of density,” Forrester said, arguing the suburban residential place type supports the requested intensity.

Multiple residents and Bluegrass Elementary community leaders testified against the density and urged postponement. Jen Holtz, PTO president at Bluegrass Elementary, told commissioners the school has surged enrollment from about 575 students in 2022‑23 to over 630 this year and that the cafeteria and classrooms are already stretched; she said additional nearby units would worsen existing spatial constraints. “There is no more wiggle room,” she said, describing portable units already in use as classrooms and warning additional units would further strain staff and space.

Other neighbors cited removed public notice signs and the short notice period, and asked the commission to reduce density to 5 dwelling units per acre to match the surrounding development pattern. Commissioner Biggs and others said the site’s infrastructure — a five‑lane arterial with sidewalks and nearby commercial amenities — supported additional density. Commissioner Overton emphasized broader housing needs in Knoxville when he moved approval, noting the local housing shortage and arguing the site was appropriate for increased density.

The commission approved the rezoning per staff recommendation after motion and second; the decision allows the applicant to proceed to development‑plan review for townhouse construction, which will return to planning for site‑specific conditions and any mitigation measures required by staff.