Protect Old Concord: Legal Fund for Appeal

We, the residents of Old Concord, the only historic community in Knox County, are seeking $5,500 for legal representation to appeal the planning commission's decision to allow the construction of a EZ Stop 7,000 square-ft convenience store/drive-through restaurant and 16-pump gas station adjacent to our neighborhood.

At the planning commission meeting on July 11th, we were only allotted 5 minutes to make our case. We spoke about the character of the historic area and how our biggest building, the Masonic Lodge, is only 2,500 square feet. We cited that this sprawling development is gigantic by comparison and would result in increased noise, traffic, and crime. In defense of our community's character, we highlighted the delicate balance that our zoning laws protect—a limit of 5,000 square feet for residential commercial buildings—underscoring the proposal's stark deviation from this standard. We presented not just a statistic, but the collective voice of a community. The Masonic Lodge representative further touched on the fact there could be unmarked graves within the area of this development.

Even with the suggestion of historical reverence, citing concerns over potentially unmarked graves in the area, the commission's decision fell short of our hopes. The number of gas pumps was limited to 8, however, the commission has allowed a 7,000 sq ft building with a drive-through. They cited the developer’s argument that an internal firewall separating restaurants and convenience stores makes them two separate buildings in their decision. Our legal representation believes we can win on appeal due to the developer's failure to comply with existing commercial development laws.

Not only do we have the law on our side, but in the next phase, we will have the time to present our case in depth and detail to the Knox County Board of County Commissioners.

Our legal representative is confident in our case however the truth of the matter is, we need help in funding this appeal. The initial foray has depleted our funds, and we now find ourselves in need of raising an additional $5,500 to empower our legal representation in the forthcoming appeal in August. It is a sum within our reach, should each of us contribute what we can—be it $10 or $25, every bit fuels our shared cause.

We believe communities matter; our community is rich in history and deserves protection and respect. We believe that overdevelopment is hurting West Knoxville and hope that our fight against this development can stand as an example of the dissatisfaction West Knoxville residents have for the continued commercial expansion into our backyards, finally, we believe that working together, we can make a difference. This is about retaining the heart and soul of the place we call home and protecting its legacy for future generations.

Please, let your passion for our community inspire your contribution. Your support means more than just funds: it's a declaration of our shared values and our enduring commitment to preserving the place we love.

With warmest regards and unwavering dedication,

Residents of Old Concord, Turnberry, Concord Woods, and surrounding neighborhoods off Woody Road, Loop Road, Concord Road, and Turkey Creek.