Can anyone suggest training videos, books, or other resources that would help educate me on the topic?

Our top 2 referrals are Juanita at Mellman & Mellan or Kimball, Tirey & St.

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

Once you get out and find your local REIA or meetup, you will build confidence on top of the information downloads because people just like you will already be doing what you want to do.

Look at the other top cities in the USA.

I'm doing a live and flip right now and breaking a SFH into a duplex by remodeling one part of the house, then renting at top dollar once the remodel is complete.

Other classic selling points are increasing housing supply in a market in need of it (assuming yours also is) and bettering the community.You can also hear concerns/worries for the people most likely top show up to the zoning meeting and voice their dissent, so you can prepare counterarguments or talk them off the ledge.It's great you already have relationships with members on the council, but I would check if they have to recuse themselves from voting on the issue.

@Penny PengDepends on what they are offering and what are your strategy/goals for this investment.Debt sits on the top of the capital stack as its the first to be paid back. 

Specifically:Share your experiences investing in Knoxville.Recommend resources or tools for market analysis.Help me find off-market properties, turnkey rentals, or connect with wholesalers.I’m eager to learn from this community and collaborate with like-minded individuals familiar with the Knoxville market.

Material participation.I discussed STR material participation requirement in my other post, linked at the top of this one.