City of Knoxville City Council Packet Summary — 2026-07-15
Board of Adjustment Meeting
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Council Chambers
The Board of Adjustment is scheduled to consider a variance request involving a new projecting business sign at 106 E. Main Street. The packet also includes approval of the July 15 agenda and June 10 meeting minutes, along with supporting materials for the variance case.
Key Item on the Agenda
McKay Insurance Sign Variance — 106 E. Main Street
The primary substantive item is Case BOA-26-007, an application from Scott Ziller and Todd Chambers of McKay Insurance for variances related to a proposed projecting sign at 106 E. Main Street.
A significant renovation is underway at the property, including interior office improvements and updates to the exterior elevations. As part of that work, the applicants propose replacing three former wall signs with a new projecting sign extending from the building's north-facing wall over part of the adjacent sidewalk and public right of way.
The property is in the C-4 Central Business District, near Courthouse Square. The staff report notes that buildings in this area are generally situated at or near property lines with little or no setback.
Variances Requested
The application requires two variances under the city's zoning regulations:
- Zoning Code Section 9-17-7(C)(4): Allow the projecting wall sign to extend more than 24 inches from the exterior wall. The proposed sign would project 47 inches (3.92 feet) from the wall.
- Zoning Code Section 9-17-10(C): Allow the projecting wall sign to extend over the public right of way. Because the building wall is flush with the front property line, the proposed 47-inch projection would extend over the adjacent public right of way.
The proposed sign would have an area of 50.96 square feet, compared with a total allowable wall-sign area of 80 square feet for the property. The staff report also states that the proposed sign would not extend above the roofline.
Zoning and Staff Analysis
The packet explains that Knoxville's zoning code defines projecting signs but does not establish specific standards for their use in the Central Business District beyond provisions applying to canopies and awnings. Staff identified existing projecting signs at the Grand Theater, Marion County Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank as examples already present in the district.
Staff's analysis highlights several considerations:
- The building at 106 E. Main Street abuts the property line and public right of way with no front setback.
- The traditional development pattern of the C-4 district includes buildings positioned at the front property line.
- Swinging signs, awnings, and canopies can project into the public right of way under applicable requirements, including minimum sidewalk clearance.
- The proposed sign's height and area are described as below applicable wall-sign limits.
- The new projecting sign would replace three existing wall signs, reducing the property's total number of signs to one.
- The staff report states that no staff concerns have been raised regarding the requested variances.
The Board must make the findings required by the zoning code before granting a variance, including findings concerning the property's circumstances, reasonable use of the building, and consistency with the zoning regulations' general purpose and public welfare.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Knoxville City Hall, 305 S. Third Street. The Board is scheduled to review the application and receive public comments.
According to the packet, notice of the hearing appeared in the Marion County Express on July 10, 2026, and 21 surrounding property owners were notified by mail. The property-owner notice states that variance requests are reviewed at a public hearing with notification to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property.
Possible Board Actions
The staff report identifies four actions available to the Board of Adjustment:
- Approve the variances as presented.
- Approve the variances with conditions.
- Deny the variances.
- Table the matter if additional information is required.
The packet does not document an outcome for the July 15 application; the variance is presented for consideration at the meeting.
Other Agenda Business
In addition to the variance case, the July 15 agenda includes:
- Call to order and roll call.
- Approval of the July 15, 2026 meeting agenda.
- Approval of the June 10, 2026 meeting minutes.
- Comments from Board members and staff.
- Adjournment.
Prior Meeting Minutes
The packet includes minutes from the June 10, 2026 Board of Adjustment meeting. Those minutes document a previously completed variance case involving 913 N. Kent Street, where Katherine Hilliard sought permission for a detached garage with a covered porch that would exceed the zoning code's maximum accessory-structure lot coverage.
The June 10 minutes state that the Board approved that variance with the condition that the applicant provide an updated site plan to staff before issuance of the building permit. The recorded roll-call vote was Gordon, Hicks, Jones, and Tupper in favor; none opposed; Wheelock absent.
The minutes also document the Board's reappointment of Linda Hicks as Chair and appointment of Geoff Wheelock as Vice Chair for calendar year 2026.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The central question is whether the Board finds that the proposed McKay Insurance sign satisfies the standards required for the two requested variances. The Board may also consider whether conditions are appropriate given the sign's 47-inch projection over the public right of way, the development pattern of the Central Business District, existing projecting signs elsewhere in the district, and any public comments received during the hearing.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials from the City of Knoxville City Council.
