Disposition Summary

Approve the One Year Plan amendment to MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/Office) because it is more compatible with surrounding land uses, and the basis for the current PP (Public Park and Refuges) designation no longer applies.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the One Year Plan amendment to MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/Office) because it is more compatible with surrounding land uses, and the basis for the current PP (Public Park and Refuges) designation no longer applies.

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ONE YEAR PLAN AMENDMENT REQUIREMENTS:
CHANGES OF CONDITIONS WARRANTING AMENDMENT OF THE LAND USE PLAN (May meet any one of these.)

AN ERROR IN THE PLAN:
1. The subject property's PP (Public Park and Refuges) classification in the One Year Plan is tied to an outdated Chilhowee Park plan from 1998 that recommended City acquisition of certain privately-owned properties to expand the park. The City acquired some of the slated properties and does not intend to pursue any further expansions. The current "Strategic Plan Recommendations for a Future Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center" (2019) does not include the subject property in its map boundaries.
2. The proposed MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/Office) land use designation is more compatible with the surrounding multifamily, office and commercial land uses in this area.

A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERN, OR THE COMPLETION OF A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT (ROAD, PARK, SEWER), WHICH CHANGES THE BASIS ON WHICH THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED FOR AN AREA:
1. There have been no significant developments or capital improvements in this area as it pertains to the requested MDR/O designation.

A CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY, UNANTICIPATED BY THE PLAN:
1.There are no public policy changes related to this plan amendment request.
2. While all potential land uses with a designation are considered, it is notable that the applicant intends to pursue a group home operation in the existing dwellings. The subject property's location is consistent with the One Year Plan's location criteria for MDR/O as well as the specific use criteria for group homes. The Plan states that group homes should be located within close proximity to shopping and transit service. The subject property is within walking distance of a service-oriented commercial node and several bus stops.

NEW INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEW PLANS AND STUDIES PRODUCED BY KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY PLANNING) BECOMING AVAILABLE, WHICH REVEALS THE NEED FOR A PLAN AMENDMENT:
1. The City has indicated that it does not plan to acquire additional properties along Linden Ave for the purpose of Chilhowee Park expansion. This new information warrants a plan amendment from PP to MDR/O, which is more consistent with current long-range plans and surrounding land uses.