Three-business complex proposed off I-75 in Rocky Top
This is the preliminary site plan submitted to the Rocky Top Planning Commission for development of a site behind the KFC/Taco Bell restaurant off I-75, Exit 129. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Jacksboro lawyer and property developer Ameesh Kherani recently presented a site plan to the Rocky Top Planning Commission, seeking utility services for the 3.58-acre plot he purchased in December 2024.
“At the front, there will be one entrance road coming in, and on the left will be a medical office, on the right a drive-through restaurant, and straight back a car wash,” Kherani told The Courier News last week.
He said the car wash would have self-service booths and an unmanned automatic wash lane.
“I figured that just off the interstate, that would be good,” Kherani said.
He has yet to sign any businesses to occupy the three spaces, but said he hopes to find something like a Starbucks or Scooter’s coffee shop for the restaurant area.
Although his wife is a dentist practicing in Knoxville, who formerly had office locations in Norris and Jacksboro, Kherani said he is not considering building a dental office for her at the Rocky Top site.
“I’m thinking something like a Tennova medical facility,” he said.
Although he gave no timetable for when construction might begin or the new buildings would be ready for occupancy, Kherani said, “I think I’m going to move forward on these plans within the next few months.”
He purchased the parcel from Bert Loupe, manager of the Campbell County Airport in Jacksboro, for $272,500 on Dec. 20, 2024, according to Anderson County property records.
Loupe had owned the property for several years, and about five years ago a regional Wendy’s restaurant franchisee told The Courier News that it was considering building Rocky Top’s first Wendy’s on the site.
Kherani already owns several developed properties in Anderson County, including the Norris Town Center building that houses the post office, the now-shuttered Archer’s Market, a dental office and The Corner Spot, a new coffee shop/artisan goods business next door to Archer’s.
He also owns a building he constructed in 2020 next to the Norris Animal Hospital on Andersonville Highway to house his wife’s practice, Appalachia Family Dentistry.
Kherani and his wife, Dr. Sonia Kherani, have since sold the dental practice at that site, but still own the building.
It still houses a dental practice, as well as a chiropractic clinic that opened in 2024.
Kherani previously operated a law office in the space now used by the chiropractor, Dr. Chase Kennedy.
The downtown Norris property that includes the former Archer’s market still has that space available for rent.
Kherani said last week that he is still seeking a new tenant to operate a market there.
Archer’s closed unexpectedly in late January 2024, and the space has sat empty since – except for some stock that has never been removed.
