Knoxville City Council met Tuesday evening with much on the agenda, including an engagement announcement and the winner of employee of the year. However, the Council's biggest talk of the night was about zoning residential and commercial properties.

A motion to postpone four ordinances for two weeks was approved by the City Council Tuesday evening. All four ordinances if approved would close down two alleys and allow property in that area to become commercial. The property is currently residential, but if approved it may become the home of a Sonic fast-food restaurant.

The topic brought about many concerns from council members.

"If it's not for the good of the city, I don't think I like this idea," Councilman Bob Becker said. The council had varying opinions, but most of those expressed were of postponing or voting against the bill.  

If it's not for the good of the city, I don't think I like this idea. Councilman Bob Becker

Councilwoman Marilyn Roddy said she drove by the property prior to the meeting and children playing in the area made it feel like a "neighborhood park." She also expressed that it "just didn't feel right" to remove that feeling from the neighborhood to put something commercial in its place.

On the postponement, Councilman Chris Woodhull said that it would be best to "ask the people in the community ... It just feels like good manners to make sure the community is aware of it."  

A property owner and member of that community along with Arthur Seymour Jr. were the two people that spoke for the proposed ordinances. Seymour did not feel that building commercially in that area would be harmful. When concerns were brought up about patrons accessing the residential streets if the ordinance passes, Seymour said there would be a "15-foot buffer," and there would be no access to the residential roads behind the proposed restaurant.

The agenda for the evening also included much lighter topics including the announcement of city employee of the year. Robin Shelton, a city employee for more than 20 years, won the award. The runners-up included Steve Stills, a police officer, and Tom Sparks, a maintenance crew leader. These people "do whatever it takes...for our community," Mayor Haslam said.  

A highlight of the evening came from Councilman Bob Becker, who announced that his girlfriend had accepted his marriage proposal. Everyone on the board congratulated him, and one council member exclaimed, "All city council members are invited to the wedding!"