Disposition Summary

Approve the modification of Section 8.4.6 (Landscape) in the Commercial Designated Area of the Belltown Planned Development because the changes are in general conformance with the approved final plan, subject to 2 conditions.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the modification of Section 8.4.6 (Landscape) in the Commercial Designated Area of the Belltown Planned Development because the changes are in general conformance with the approved final plan, subject to 2 conditions.

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1) Meeting requirements of the Belltown final plan.
2) Meeting all applicable requirements of the Knox County Zoning Ordinance.

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This proposal modifies the landscape requirement for building foundations to allow the landscaping to be along the edges of outdoor patios, rather than exclusively at the base of the building. There is also an allowance for up to 30 percent of the landscaping to be in planter pots and boxes. If landscaping is placed around a patio, this will result in additional landscape area than would otherwise be required. An example landscape plan is attached.

For reference, the original and proposed text in Section 8.4.6. are copied below and provided in Exhibit B:

ORIGINAL - At least fifty (50) percent of the length of the exterior walls of the building must have a landscaping strip of at least four (4) feet in width.

PROPOSED - At least fifty percent (50%) of the combined length of the building and any adjoining patio shall include a landscaping strip with a minimum width of four (4) feet. For the purpose of this requirement, a covered or uncovered patio shall be considered part of the total building length and shall be defined as an outdoor seating area containing chairs and tables, with a minimum required size of five hundred (500) square feet. Up to 30 percent (30%) of the required
landscape area may be planted pots and/or planter boxes with a minimum width or circumference of two (2) feet, or synthetic turf.

This request is consistent with the Belltown preliminary plan and final plan approvals because it maintains or increases the required landscape area while providing flexibility for its placement around the building site.

The development standards for Belltown were approved through the "planned development approval" process in Article 6.80 of the Knox County Zoning Ordinance. The Belltown "preliminary plan" (11-A-22-PD) was approved by the County Commission in January 2023. The preliminary plan outlines the proposed public benefits, requested waivers to the dimensional standards and uses within the A (Agricultural) zone, transportation improvements, and project phasing. The final plan(s) include the Belltown preliminary plan document, revised in accordance with the conditions of approval, and detailed development plans for phases or individual developments that must be in conformance with the adopted standards.

The Planning Commission has the authority to approve "major modifications" to final plans that do not qualify as "minor modifications". Minor modifications are specific deviations approvable by Planning and Knox County Engineering and Public Works staff (Article 6.80.07). All major modifications must be approved by the Planning Commission, and may only approve changes to the final plan if they find such changes are in general conformance with the approved final plan, necessary for the continued successful functioning of the planned development, respond to changes in conditions that have occurred since the final plan was approved, and/or respond to changes in adopted county land use policies.