Staff Recommendation

Approve C-G-2 (General Commercial) zoning because it is consistent with adjacent development along Central Avenue, is in compliance with the Central City Sector Plan?s land use designation, and would make the existing use conforming within the zone.

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REZONING REQUIREMENTS FROM ZONING ORDINANCES (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 CITY/COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. There is an increased demand for small-scale housing. Rezoning this property would make the existing apartments a legal, conforming use since the existing Office zone allows a maximum of 6 dwelling units on a property.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The proposed amendment to C-G (General Commercial) zoning is intended to provide for a heterogeneous mix of retail, personal service, office, and residential uses within and along Knoxville?s commercial nodes and corridors. The C-G District is intended to promote mixed-use development in a pedestrian-oriented environment that recalls the City?s traditional business districts, and offers flexibility in the creation of integrated commercial, office and residential spaces. The CG District is divided into three levels of intensity related to the overall form and design of the development; however, uses are the same across all levels. This zone is intended primarily for indoor commercial uses with limited exceptions per special use approval.
2. 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. No adverse impacts are expected from additional C-G zoning in this area. Central Avenue is two parcels to the east and contains commercial zoning along its length at this location, and the properties across the street contain C-G-2 zoning. The Health Department is adjacent to the west.

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 C-G zone is consistent with the Central City Sector Plans MU-SD, CC1 (Downtown North Mixed Use) land use designation, which states that GC uses can be considered on side streets where these uses currently exist. These uses already exist on Dameron Avenue.

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Disposition Summary

Approve C-G-2 (General Commercial) zoning because it is consistent with adjacent development along Central Avenue, is in compliance with the Central City Sector Plan?s land use designation, and would make the existing use conforming within the zone.