To be heard November 12, 2026Agenda Item No. 7

---

Staff Recommendation

Approve the O (Office) district because it is consistent with the adopted plans and the surrounding mix of developments.

---

PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 16.1.E, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET FOR ALL REZONINGS:

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED OR CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE CITY GENERALLY.
1. There has been a significant increase in residential intensity across the broader Whittle Springs neighborhood over the past two decades. Development trends in the surrounding area have featured a mix of uses, including single-family dwellings, multifamily developments, office, civic uses (Whittle Springs Middle School, Whittle Springs Golf Course), and the commercial corridor along N Broadway and Walker Boulevard. The rezoning would be an extension of the district from the west and north sides.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THIS CODE.
1. The O zoning district is intended to provide for an environment of low intensity office and service uses, mixed with residential uses. The O district would be appropriate here, as the area features a mix of residential, office, commercial, and civic uses.
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 CITY, NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AMENDMENT.
1. The O zoning district has dimensional standards intended to mitigate adverse impacts of a nonresidential development abutting a residential district (Article 5.3.B). Any nonresidential use over 5,000 sq ft must maintain the privacy of adjacent residential lots through techniques such as decreased height, landscaping, screening measures, and increased setbacks. Additionally, a Class B buffer yard will be required for any nonresidential use, regardless of the building footprint (Article 12.8).
2. If a minor increase in residential intensity is pursued, it will provide a transition between the single-family dwellings to the east and the large O-zoned parcel to the west. The subject property could accommodate up to six multifamily or townhouse units.
3. For any new construction or addition exceeding 30% of the existing structure, there are building design requirements to incorporate pedestrian-scale features and site design requirements to ensure safe pedestrian access (Article 5.4).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY GENERAL PLAN AND ITS COMPONENT PARTS, INCLUDING ADOPTED SECTOR PLANS, CORRIDOR PLANS, AND RELATED DOCUMENTS. 1. The subject property has the O (Office) land use classification in the City's One Year Plan and East City Sector Plan, which permits the O zoning district. Approval of this request will bring the zoning district into conformance with the adopted plans.
2. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the General Plan's Development Policy 8, to encourage growth in the existing urban area.

WHETHER ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SCHOOLS, PARKS, POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION, ROADS, SANITARY SEWERS, STORM SEWERS, AND WATER LINES, OR ARE REASONABLY CAPABLE OF BEING PROVIDED PRIOR TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IF THE AMENDMENT WERE ADOPTED.
1. This is an urbanized area with ample utility and facility infrastructure to support rezoning of this site.
2. The subject property is directly across from Whittle Springs Middle School, with sidewalk connections from the school to nearby streets. A transit stop on White Oak Lane is within 500 ft to the southwest.