The Knoxville City Council met in regular session in front of a standing room only crowd Monday evening.

The council started the meeting with approving Megan Suhr to the vacant city council position in a 3 to 1 vote with council member Rick Kingery voting no. Kingery had supported Suhr’s candidacy in a final vote at a previous work session regarding the open position. Following the approval vote, Suhr was sworn in by Mayor Brian Hatch.

The council next held first consideration while possibly waiving second and third consideration to adopt an amendment to the city zoning ordinance. The amendment would allow rezoning of three properties including 401, 409 and 413 east Main street in Knoxville. Mayor Hatch explained rezoning the property was not needed for the private developer to build a four story, 27 unit apartment complex at the location. The rezoning would require a larger setback that the zoning commission felt would best protect the interests of adjacent property owners. During the meeting members of the public voiced both approval and concerns about the project with the majority agreeing the development was a good idea for the city, but that the concerns of the adjacent property owners needed to be addressed before moving forward. City Manager Aaron Adams clarified the developer was private and that no city money or taxes would be used for the project. The council was informed by City Attorney Bob Stuyvesant that proper notice of the public meeting had not been given, and that a vote could not be held. The council will now hold a public hearing to consider the approval of the rezoning amendment at the next city council meeting on May 15th.