Knoxville City Council delays vote on distance rules for bars, churches

The Knoxville City Council decided on Tuesday to delay a decision on revising a city ordinance that requires churches and places receiving a beer permit to be located at least 300 feet apart.

The council approved the measure on first reading with a 6-3 vote at its Oct. 25 meeting.

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During Tuesday’s meeting, councilman Nick Della Volpe suggested the council postpone the second and final reading until their next meeting on Nov. 22 in order to give more time for public feedback.

"I think in fairness, there's no urgency not to have it put off for two weeks so that people can digest this," he said.

After hearing from members of the public in support and opposition of changing the ordinance, the council voted 5-4 to postpone their decision until the next meeting.

The council did approve a resolution changing the name of Sharp’s Ridge Memorial Park to Sharp’s Ridge Veteran’s Memorial Park.