To be heard November 12, 2026Agenda Item No. 29

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with adopted plans.

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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 along Arms Road have primarily consisted of single-family dwellings on a wide range of lot sizes.
2. A child daycare center opened roughly 0.20 miles southeast of the subject property in 2024.
3. Rezoning trends in the surrounding area have been concentrated along Asheville Highway to the south, transitioning from the A (Agricultural) zone to CA (General Business) and OB (Office, Medical, and Related Services).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE.
1. The RA (Low Density Residential) zone is intended to provide for areas with low population densities.
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 RA zone allows residential and limited civic uses and is consistent with the surrounding development.
3. The subject property has a lot area of approximately 0.76 ac, and the current A (Agricultural) zone requires a minimum lot area of 1 ac for single-family dwellings. The requested RA zone would bring the property into conformance with zoning, as it requires a minimum lot area of 10,000 sq ft.

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 and is not anticipated to negatively impact the surrounding area.

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 subject property is designated TCMU (Town Center Mixed-Use) in the Knox County Comprehensive Plan. TCMU areas are appropriate for large and compact walkable developments, with employment, commercial, residential, civic, and supporting uses integrated horizontally and vertically with connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.
2. The RA zone is partially related to the TCMU place type. Partially related zones must meet additional review criteria, and the rezoning meets the third criterion, as the RA zone is directly related to the neighboring TN (Traditional Neighborhood) place type.
3. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's Implementation Policy 2: Ensure development is sensitive to existing community character. The allowable housing types and lot sizes in the RA zone are compatible with other residential development on Arms Road.
4. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the subject property's Planned Growth Area designation in the Growth Policy Plan, which encourages a reasonably compact pattern of development and to offer a wide range of housing choices.