Disposition Summary

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

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Staff Recommendation

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

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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 ZONES AFFECTED, OR IN THE COUNTY GENERALLY.
1. Development trends in the surrounding area have primarily been residential in nature, consisting of single-family dwellings and townhouse developments. In the last ten years, multiple residential rezonings have occurred within a half-mile of the subject property, with densities ranging from 3 to 7 du/ac.
2. The Schaad Road project, which is in progress a quarter mile west of the subject property, aims to improve connectivity and roadway safety in the area.
3. The subject property has a lot area size of 0.51 ac. The minimum lot area under the A (Agricultural) zone is one acre. Approving the requested RA (Low Density Residential) zone will bring the subject property into compliance, as it meets the minimum standards for the RA zone, which is 10,000 sq ft.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE.
1. The RA zone is intended to provide for residential areas with low population densities. The requested RA zone is compatible with the surrounding zoning, which includes properties zoned RA and PR (Planned Residential) with densities ranging from up to 3 to up to 7 du/ac.
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 allowable uses in the RA zone, which are primarily residential and civic in nature, align with the area's surrounding character.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AN AMENDMENT.
1. The RA zone is considered a low-density residential zone. As such, it is not anticipated to negatively impact the surrounding area, which is mainly residential.
2. Based on the minimum lot area alone, the subject property could yield up to two lots. The potential development that would be allowed under the RA zone is consistent with the low-density residential developments in the area.

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 subject property's place type is SR (Suburban Residential) in the Comprehensive Plan. The RA zone is listed as directly related to the SR place type. The housing mix of the SR place type calls for predominantly single-family dwellings with lots smaller than one acre and attached residential dwellings such as duplexes, which are permitted in the RA zone.
2. The rezoning complies with the Comprehensive Plan's Implementation Policy 9, to coordinate infrastructure improvements with development, and Implementation Policy 9.3, to focus growth in areas already served by adequate infrastructure. The property is accessed from Andes Road, a major collector street with a 21-ft pavement width. The section of Andes Road 615 ft west of the subject property is undergoing improvements as part of the Schaad Road project, which will add a dedicated left-turn lane and flush median at the intersection of Andes Road and Schaad Road to help improve sight distance and reduce crash frequencies.
3. The subject property is within the Planned Growth Area of the Growth Policy Plan, which encourages a reasonably compact development pattern. The allowable lot sizes and housing types in the RA zone support the intent of the Planned Growth Area.