To be heard December 11, 2025Agenda Item No. 25

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and surrounding development, subject to 1 condition.

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1. Intalling a Type 'B' landscape screening along the W Governor John Sevier Highway frontage (Exhibit B).

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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 DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE CITY/COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. Since 2022, four large properties within a 1/3 mile radius of the subject lot were rezoned to PR (Planned Residential) with densities ranging from 4 du/ac to 18 du/ac.
2. The subject property is 1 acre in size, which aligns with the general lot size of the single-family detached properties immediately surrounding this parcel on Abner Cruze Road. Many of these properties have longstanding RB (General Residential) zoning, which permits densities of up to 12 du/ac by right. However, the RB zone's permitted intensity does not reflect the established single-family land use on this local residential street, which is more reflective of the requested RA (Low Density Residential) zone.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RA zone is intended for areas with low population densities that are defined and protected from encroachment of nonresidential uses.
2. The subject property is surrounded by single-family detached residential properties that vary in lot size from .25 acre to several acres. This environment is aligned with the intent of the RA zone.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY, NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AMENDMENT:
1. The RA zone permits development that is compatible with surrounding residences. There is no adverse impact anticipated to occur with the proposed rezoning.

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 RA zone is directly related to the subject property's SR (Suburban Residential) designation in the Knox County Comprehensive Plan. The SR place type is intended for areas that are primarily comprised of single family residences on lots sizes that are generally less than an acre.
2. The RA zone is consistent with the subject property's location in the Urban Growth Boundary of the Growth Policy Plan, which supports a reasonably compact pattern of development that offers a wide range of housing choices.
3. Staff recommend that rezoning approval include a condition to install a Type 'B' landscape screen along W Governor John Sevier Highway frontage, and this landscape form is detailed in Exhibit B. This condition aligns future development with the Governor John Sevier Highway Corridor Study, which recommends a 50-ft landscape buffer. Due to the subject property's 1-acre size, the full 50-ft buffer depth is not practical. The Type 'B' landscape screen is consistent with the screening that exists on the adjacent property to the east.