City BZA 4435 260721

The City of Knoxville Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) convened on July 22, 2026, to review multiple zoning variance requests and appeals. Key procurement-related discussions included several variance approvals for property developments involving setbacks, building coverage, and fence height adjustments. Notably, the board approved a variance for a privacy fence height increase at a place of worship to enhance child safety, and variances related to building setbacks and coverage for residential properties, citing hardships such as topography and lot size. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a complex appeal involving Marlo Charities, a 501(c)(3) private religious foundation, seeking religious exemptions related to zoning and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations. The board discussed legal standards under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and Tennessee law, focusing on whether the applicant's religious beliefs were sincerely held and if zoning regulations imposed a substantial burden. After extensive debate, the board voted to deny the appeal, upholding the zoning administrator's determination that the applicant did not meet the burden of proof for religious exemption. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes and adjournment.