Disposition Summary

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is compatible with surrounding development and consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is compatible with surrounding development and consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan.

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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 COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. This section of the Halls community has experienced modest residential growth since the 1990s, transitioning from A to the RA and PR zones to accommodate residential subdivisions of detached dwellings. Recent examples include the A to PR at 4 du/ac rezoning (4-O-25-RZ) and the A to RA rezoning (7-H-25-RZ) along Hill Road within 0.75 miles to the southwest of the subject parcel.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RA zone is intended to provide for residential areas with low population densities. It allows single-family houses with sewer connection on 10,000 sq ft lots and duplexes on 12,000 sq ft lots with Use on Review approval by the Planning Commission.
2. The RA zone could allow a subdivision of up to 4 lots on this 1-acre parcel, subject to providing adequate access and meeting the 10,000-sq ft lot area requirement for houses.
3. Rezonings should be based on the entire range of uses allowed within a zone to ensure that any development brought forth at a future time would be compatible with the surrounding land uses.

THE 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. The proposed RA zone is compatible with the low-density residential character of the immediate vicinity, which includes properties zoned A, RA, and PR with up to 3 du/ac. No significant adverse impacts are anticipated with this rezoning.
2. There is a creek running along the rear side of the property, which will be protected by a 25' No Disturb Stream Buffer and a 50' No Build Stream Buffer, as depicted on the plat.

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 RA zone would bring zoning into compliance with the SR (Suburban Residential) place type of this property, as designated in the Knox County Comprehensive Plan. The existing A zone is not permitted in the SR place type, but the requested RA zone is directly related to it.
2. The proposed rezoning aligns with Implementation Policy 2 of the Knox County Comprehensive Plan, to ensure that development is sensitive to existing community character. The RA zone is compatible with nearby single-family developments.
3. The rezoning is also aligned with the property's location in the Planned Growth Area of the Growth Policy Plan and is consistent with the policies related to the Planned Growth Area.