Knoxville — The Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission voted to reclassify a 2.76-acre parcel on Ball Camp Pike from RN1 to RN3, a move that permits greater residential intensity, after a contentious public hearing in which nearby residents urged denial.

The commission approved the sector plan and one-year plan amendments and then the rezoning, with motions by Commissioner Anderson and Vice Chair Huber. The final motion to rezone to RN3 passed after commissioners debated neighborhood compatibility and infrastructure.

The change was opposed by several neighbors who said the parcel sits adjacent to established single‑family neighborhoods and lacks pedestrian infrastructure. “There are no sidewalks on Ball Camp. There are no crosswalks on Ball Camp,” said Christopher Boyd, a resident, noting that “cars often exceed 50 miles per hour.” Greg Harris, another nearby resident, said the application did not meet the city’s rezoning criteria and warned the change “would be a lifelong marriage” between the proposed project and existing homes because the properties share long boundaries.

Ben Mullins, speaking for the applicant, told the commission he and the developer had tried to meet neighborhood concerns and that staff had recommended approval. Mullins said RN3 would allow flexibility while noting that townhome development would require a subsequent special‑use review: “Townhomes... would have to come back through this body,” he said, listing documentation and standards that would be required if a townhome plan were proposed.

Commissioners who supported the rezoning cited existing infrastructure nearby — sidewalks on Hinton Drive and access to Western Avenue — and staff findings that the site was appropriate for medium‑density residential use. Commissioner Midas urged empathy for both neighbors and people seeking smaller, more-affordable housing types: “It could be a blessing to a lot of families,” he said.

The commission’s approval means the property will move forward to the next required steps, including any special‑use or site plans that would return to the commission for review if the developer proposes townhomes or other higher‑intensity forms.

Officials and neighbors agreed the project raised traffic and pedestrian safety concerns that will need to be addressed at plan review and permitting stages.