Disposition Summary

Approve RN-4 (General Residential Neighborhood) and HP (Hillside Protection Overlay) zoning because it is located on an arterial near a commercial node and is consistent with the sector plan.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve RN-4 (General Residential Neighborhood) and HP (Hillside Protection Overlay) zoning because it is located on an arterial near a commercial node and is consistent with the sector plan.

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PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 16.1.E.3, SUBSECTIONS 1-3, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET FOR ALL REZONINGS:

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. There is an increased need for small-scale single-family and multi-family housing. This proposal will provide an opportunity to meet this need.
2. The RN-4 (General Residential Neighborhood) zoning district allows single-family houses, duplexes, townhouses, and small-scale multi-family structures. Townhouse and multi-family development must be approved by Planning staff via administrative review or by the Planning Commission via Special Use, as outlined in Section 4.2.B. of the zoning ordinance.
3. The property is located near the regional commercial and employment node to the northeast.
4. A significant investment in road improvements related to the Amazon distribution warehouse is under construction.
5. The property is located on a KAT transit route.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RN-4 zoning district is intended to accommodate mixed medium-density residential development within the City of Knoxville.
2. The RN-4 District is intended to be applied to neighborhoods that are characterized by such mixed residential development or that have been identified as areas where such development would be suitable in the future.
3. RN-4 zoning is consistent with this property's MDR (Medium Density Residential) land use classification.
4. The subject property is contiguous with a church property to the east with the O (Office) land use designation.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE CITY, NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AMENDMENT.
1. The property has access to a minor arterial street.
2. The proposed rezoning to RN-4 is not anticipated to adversely affect adjacent properties since the area is predominantly residential in character.
3. The maximum lot size for multi-family development in the RN-4 zone is 40,000 sqft, which limits the number of dwelling units to 20 on a single lot because 2,000 sqft of land area is required per dwelling unit. A site must be subdivided into multiple lots to allow more than 20 dwelling units, discouraging the development of large apartment complexes.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN OF KNOXVILLE AND KNOX COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS, MAJOR ROAD PLAN, LAND USE PLAN, COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN, AND OTHERS:
1. The proposed rezoning to RN-4 aligns with policy 8.1 of the General Plan, which promotes infill housing on vacant lots compatible with the scale and layout of neighboring residences.
2. The RN-4 zoning district is consistent with the East City Sector Plan's MDR classification.
3. A small portion of the property, south of the blue line stream that runs through the property, is within the HP (Hillside Protection Overlay). Because of the need to cross the stream and the relatively small area, the HP area is not likely to be disturbed.
4. The requested zoning district at this location does not conflict with any other adopted plans.