To be heard November 12, 2026Agenda Item No. 17

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the request to modify the master sign plan for the Knoxville Multi-Use Stadium Development as submitted, subject to 4 conditions.

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1) The illumination of the internally illuminated wall sign shall not exceed 1 footcandle measured at the adjacent property line.
2) Meeting all applicable requirements of the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance.
3) Meeting all applicable requirements of the City of Knoxville Engineering Department.
4) Meeting all applicable requirements of the City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections Department.

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In 2025, the Planning Commission approved a master sign plan (file # 2-B-25-SU) for the Knoxville Multi-Use Stadium Development in accordance with Article 13.7 (Master Sign Plans for Unified Developments) of the zoning ordinance. The approved plan included eight non-illuminated awning signs (depicted as "DA-1.1" or "DA-1.2"), eight non-illuminated awning hanging signs ("DH-1"), and eight illuminated projecting blade signs ("DP-2") on the west elevation storefronts of the Yardley Building. The applicant proposes increasing the maximum number of awning signs from eight to nine and the maximum number of projected blade signs from eight to eleven. Additionally, the proposal includes an illumination option for the awning signage.

STANDARDS FOR EVALUATING A SPECIAL USE (ARTICLE 16.2.F.2.)

1) THE USE IS CONSISTENT WITH ADOPTED PLANS AND POLICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL PLAN AND THE ONE-YEAR PLAN.
A. The General Plan's Implementation Policy 4.4 recommends using landscaping, signage, and architecture to identify significant entrances to communities, neighborhoods, and business districts. The modified storefront signs will help identify associated commercial uses at the Yardley Building, differentiating the businesses from other uses of this large development.
B. The One Year Plan's and Central City Sector Plan's MU-SD MU-CC3 (Mixed Use Special District, Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan) classification refers to the Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan (2009). The plan encourages a mix of developments and has no conflicts with the proposed special use.

THE USE IS IN HARMONY WITH THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THIS ZONING CODE.
A. The development is located on parcels that are zoned I-MU (Industrial Mixed-Use). However, the Planned Development (11-A-21-PD, p. 23 of the approved project summary) stipulates that signs for this development are not subject to the minimum size, number, location, and illuminance requirements listed in Article 13 (Signs) of the zoning ordinance. The Planning Commission should review the proposed modifications for appropriateness with the approved master sign plan.

THE USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT IS PROPOSED, AND WITH THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF BUILDINGS IN THE VICINITY.
A. The proposed increase is appropriate for the scale of the building and the façade area of the west elevation and is compatible with this commercial/warehousing area.
B. The proposed modification will allow the northernmost storefront to have its own tenant signs and provides additional options for the other tenants. Overall, the requested changes are consistent with the previously approved plan.

4) THE USE WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INJURE THE VALUE OF ADJACENT PROPERTY OR BY NOISE, LIGHTS, FUMES, ODORS, VIBRATION, TRAFFIC, CONGESTION, OR OTHER IMPACTS DETRACT FROM THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT.
A. No adverse effects are anticipated with the proposed increase. While the master sign plan is not subject to the illumination standards of the zoning ordinance (Article 13.5.C), the recommended illuminance of 1 footcandle is well below the maximum allowance of 200 footcandles for signs in nonresidential districts and consistent with other illuminated wall signs of the master sign plan.

5) THE USE IS NOT OF A NATURE OR SO LOCATED AS TO DRAW SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC THROUGH RESIDENTIAL STREETS.
A. Approval of this request will not result in any additional traffic being drawn through residential streets. The project is bordered by nonresidential streets and is just off of S. Hall of Fame Drive (a minor arterial) and Willow Avenue (a minor collector).

6) THE NATURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA IS NOT SUCH AS TO POSE A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE PROPOSED USE OR TO CREATE AN UNDESIRABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PROPOSED USE.
A. The uses immediately surrounding the subject property will not pose a potential hazard or undesirable environment.