Disposition Summary

Approve the I-G (General Industrial) district because it is compatible with the surrounding development and a minor extension of the district.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the I-G (General Industrial) district because it is compatible with the surrounding development and a minor extension of the district.

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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 SHALL BE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED OR CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE CITY/COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. In early to mid 2010, TDOT widened Western Avenue from a 2-lane street to a 5-lane street from Copper Kettle Road to Schaad Road. There have been some developments in the already established area since then. The proposed I-G district is consistent with the surrounding developments and is a minor extension of the district from the west.
2. Western Avenue is proposed to have a higher frequency bus route (every 30 minutes) through KAT Reimagined. Furthermore, the City is implementing a capital improvement project approximately 0.35 mile west of the property to extend the Northwest Connector Greenway along Third Creek Road from Western Avenue southward to Middlebrook Pike. While the proposed I-G district doesn't warrant a pedestrian-oriented environment, these changes will improve the connectivity of the area that could better support the commercial uses north of the properties.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The I-G district is intended to provide for a range of general industrial uses that do not require frequent visits from customers or clients and may produce limited outside impacts, rendering them incompatible with retail, service, or residential uses.
2. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the district's intent since the property is away from any residential uses and separated from the commercial uses on the north by adequate landscaping and a change in grades. The elevation of the subject property is approximately 40-ft below than the adjacent north properties, which should limit any outside impacts.
3. 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 recommended I-G district is not anticipated to have an adverse impact on the surrounding properties. General industrial uses are compatible with the surrounding uses to the west and south. The office use to the east is on a property owned by the same owner as the subject parcel. The property is also isolated from the adjacent commercial uses, as mentioned above.

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 proposed rezoning is consistent with the recommended LI land use classification of the One Year Plan and Northwest City Sector Plan.
2. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the General Plan's development policy 1.3 that encourages to facilitate new industrial development and for redevelopment of older industrial facilities.
3. The location of this property and the proposed rezoning is also compatible with the General Plan's development policy 8.4 which recommends that residential areas are protected from incompatible uses such as any general industrial uses.