Disposition Summary

Deny the One Year Plan amendment to the GC (General Commercial) land use classification because it is inconsistent with surrounding land use classifications. The HP (Hillside Protection) will be retained.

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Staff Recommendation

Deny the One Year Plan amendment to the GC (General Commercial) land use classification because it is inconsistent with surrounding land use classifications. The HP (Hillside Protection) will 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. The subject property is part of commercial and office node around the intersection of Merchant Drive and Pleasant Ridge Road, which has gradually expanded over the past 20 years.
2. Although the requested GC (General Commercial) land use classification generally aligns with existing development in the area, it is not consistent with surrounding land use classifications. Reclassifying a single parcel to the GC land use among the existing NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and O (Office) classifications would break up cohesion of the land use map in this area. It could lead to more intensive development than intended by the One Year Plan.

AN ERROR IN THE PLAN:
1. The subject property is one of several surrounding properties with the NC classification, which only permits consideration of the C-N (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district. Despite this, there is no C-N zoning, and the predominant zoning among these properties is C-G-1 (General Commercial). C-G-1 is permitted in the requested GC land use classification. Although the land use class here is not reflective of current zoning and development is not necessarily the result of an error in the plan.
2. The One Year Plan also describes how the GC (General Commercial) class is intended for properties that are relatively flat. A portion of the subject parcel is within the HP (Hillside Protection) overlay with steep slopes towards the rear of the lot.

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. This commercial node is surrounded by numerous residential neighborhoods, which supports maintaining the NC land use classification to provide commercial services intended for these local communities.
2. There have been no significant changes in public facilities or capital improvements that affect this request for the GC land use classification.

A CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY, UNANTICIPATED BY THE PLAN:
1. There have been no changes in public policy pertaining to the proposed land use amendment.

NEW INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEW PLANS AND STUDIES PRODUCED BY KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY PLANNING) BECOMING AVAILABLE, WHICH REVEALS THE NEED FOR A PLAN AMENDMENT:
1. There are no new studies or plans specific to the commercial land use class that apply to this request.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
1. The One Year Plan describes how the GC class is intended for properties that are relatively flat. A portion of the subject parcel is within the HP (Hillside Protection) area with steep slopes towards the rear of the lot.