Knoxville City Council rejects waste business’s appeal [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville City Council voted 8-0 against a resolution to overturn a zoning decision regarding a business that has received dozens of complaints about the smell its facility produces.

Liquid Environmental Solutions on Galaway Street works in non-hazardous liquid waste management, providing grease trap services to restaurants and grocery stores while also providing food waste services. 

Tanner Jessel, a Knoxville neighbor, said it makes an awful smell.

“My neighbors and I deserve clean air. The same as Nashville, Winston-Salem and Austin, where this company has fully enclosed its operations,” Jessel said.

He was one of three neighbors who spoke against the resolution reversing the zoning violation. Several others were in the audience.

According to the resolution, on Dec. 14, 2023, the Knoxville zoning administrator made the determination LES was not in compliance with city code that says a processing facility’swork must be done …