Disposition Summary

Approve the RP (Rural Preservation) zone because it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the subject property's function and surroundings.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RP (Rural Preservation) zone because it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the subject property's function and surroundings.

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PURSUANT TO THE KNOX COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 6.30.01, THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET FOR ALL REZONINGS (must meet all of these):

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED OR CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE CITY/COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. The subject property is established agricultural and forested land that is almost entirely within the FEMA floodplain of the Tennessee River. It is accessed by Riverside Drive, which is a narrow and winding minor collector street with limited sight distance around wooded bends to the west.
2. The intensity of the multifamily intent under the property's existing RB (General Residential) zone is inappropriate in this context, and the requested RP (Rural Preservation) zone is more aligned with the rural and remote surroundings.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RP zone is intended to ensure the continued production of agricultural commodities by encouraging preservation of productive agricultural lands and the open space, wildlife habitat, and scenic corridor value that productive agricultural lands provide. Uses allowed within the district are intended to be limited to uses which are compatible with the long-term agricultural productivity of lands. The general intent of the district is to encourage farming without undue burden on the landowner. Applications for Rural Preservation zoning shall be reviewed for preservation of agricultural and forest lands and activities; water supply protection; and/or conservation of natural, scenic or historic resources.
2. The subject property possesses all three aspects that are to be considered with an RP rezoning application. It is mostly comprised of farmland that also provides a natural and scenic asset to the area along the river shoreline. The subject property directly aligns with the purpose statement of the RP zone.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY, NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AMENDMENT:
1. There are no adverse impacts anticipated to occur with the proposed rezoning. This rezoning will provide land use regulations and protections that are more compatible with the environmental sensitivities of the subject property and its natural surroundings.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF KNOX COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS, MAJOR ROAD PLAN, LAND USE PLAN, COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN, AND OTHERS:
1. The RP zone will bring the property's zoning into compliance with the future land use classification, which is the RC (Rural Conservation) place type in the Knox County Comprehensive Plan. The stated objective of the RC place type is to conserve forested areas, ridges, wetlands and other significant natural areas. Although RP is listed as an indirectly related zone to this place type, it directly supports the purpose of the RC place type and should be approved for this reason.
2. This downzoning is aligned with the limited street infrastructure and utility capacity of this more isolated and wooded area.