Disposition Summary

Approve the MDR (Medium Density Residential) land use classification because it is consistent with changing conditions in the area. The HP (Hillside Protection) area would be retained.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the MDR (Medium Density Residential) land use classification because it is consistent with changing conditions in the area. The HP (Hillside Protection) area would be retained.

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ONE YEAR PLAN AMENDMENT REQUIREMENTS (May meet any one of these):

CHANGES OF CONDITIONS WARRANTING AMENDMENT OF THE LAND USE PLAN:
1. There have not been significant changes to the residential character of the area immediately surrounding the subject property, which is primarily comprised of forested single-family lots. However, there are approximately 52 acres located 2/3 of a direct mile to the southeast that have the MDR (Medium Density Residential) land use classification. A new multifamily development there at 2120 River Willow Way is under construction to provide 96 apartment units with funding support from the City's affordable housing budget.
2. This increase in residential intensity supports consideration of the MDR classification on the subject property, which is closer to the urban core of the City of Knoxville and has better access to transit and community facilities.
3. The requested MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/ Office) land use classification would be inappropriate at this location because there are no significant commercial or office land uses here. The intent of the MDR/O classification is to serve as a buffer between less intensive neighborhoods and commercial uses or busy thoroughfares. In the case of the subject property, MDR/O would be the most intensive land use in the area.

AN ERROR IN THE PLAN:
1. The current LDR (Low Density Residential) land use classification in the One Year Plan is consistent with the land use classification of most surrounding properties, and is not the result of an error.

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. Delrose Drive was resurfaced in 2023 and the East Knox Greenway Trail will be extended further east to the Knoxville Botanical Gardens & Arboretum. The Gardens are located a quarter-mile directly from the subject property. These projects improve access from the subject property to downtown Knoxville, which is approximately a 6-minute drive.
2. These public improvements, along with the increasing residential intensity further east, support the MDR classification at this location.

A CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY, UNANTICIPATED BY THE PLAN:
1. There are no known public policy changes pertaining to the subject property and its land use designation.

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 Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) Reimagined transit network plan will reduce bus routes in certain areas of East Knoxville, but a bus stop is planned to remain in front of Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Elementary School. This stop is walking distance from the subject property via Brooks Avenue, and is served by sidewalks.
2. Transit access, sidewalks, and community activity centers like the school are components of the location criteria for the MDR land use classification.