ONK Wins Zoning Appeal

Tuesday, September 18, 2001 was a great night for Old North Knoxville.  Thanks to the perseverance and hard work of some of your neighbors, ONK was able to defeat a zoning appeal for 1314 Grainger Avenue.  This home was purchased by a realtor with the intention of getting the zoning changed from residential to commercial so it could be converted to a real estate office.  Chester Kilgore, Jonathan Taylor, Lou Russell and several other nearby residents got wind of this and went to work.  Even though the house was listed as a "possible" candidate for rezoning on the one year plan, your neighbors managed to get the rezoning defeated at the MPC level.  The owner then filed for an appeal with the City Council.  Prior to the City Council meeting the owner met with and spoke to the Old North Knoxville neighborhood at its monthly meeting in August.  After hearing her speak, the neighborhood voted to write to the Mayor and City Council members opposing the appeal of the MPC decision. Also attending this meeting was council member Carlene Malone.  Chester also circulated a petition opposing the appeal and got over 60 signatures on it.  Finally, on the evening when the appeal was going to be heard, 15 of your Old North Knoxville neighbors showed up at the City Council meeting to show solidarity in opposing this appeal.  We won!

Thanks to Chester and Jonathan for speaking on behalf of the neighborhood.  And a special thanks to Mayor Ashe and Carlene Malone for their kind words of support of our neighborhood!  A final thanks to the entire City Council for listening to us and doing their part in preserving one of the finest neighborhoods in Knoxille!