The Technology Corridor Development Authority approved a grading plan and two waivers for Level Place LLC’s proposed Level Place at Cornerstone on Lovell Road, subject to three standard conditions and additional staff follow‑up.

Planning staff told the authority the request covered two parcels totaling 12 acres, about 7.1 of which fall inside the technology overlay. Staff said a portion of the site sits within hillside protection (0.79 acres) and that the recommended disturbance budget was 0.37 acres. The applicant requested a waiver to increase the allowable disturbance from 0.37 acres to 0.664 acres and a second waiver to permit limited disturbance within slopes of 25% or greater affecting 0.91 acres. Staff recommended approving both waivers because approximately half of the hillside area showed evidence of prior disturbance and the proposed work would remain outside required stream buffers; silt fencing and other erosion controls were proposed to protect water quality.

Ben Mullins, speaking for the applicant, said the team had coordinated with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and county staff and asked that the authority approve the waivers per staff recommendation. Commissioners questioned the policy basis for treating previously disturbed slopes as exempt from hillside protections, and staff said county planning follows an interpretation similar to the city’s overlay approach and will raise the topic in the UDO process to clarify treatment of previously disturbed areas. A motion to approve the waivers and grading plan per staff recommendation, including the three standard conditions (compliance with the zoning ordinance and Knox County Engineering and Public Works requirements), passed; a member noted for the record that the chair recused and the recorded vote count was six.