Disposition Summary

Approve the AG (Agricultural) district because it is a minor extension of zoning that is more compatible with the surrounding natural area. The HP (Hillside Protection Overlay) would be retained.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the AG (Agricultural) district because it is a minor extension of zoning that is more compatible with the surrounding natural area. The HP (Hillside Protection Overlay) would be retained.

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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. This parcel is part of Pleasant Ridge, much of which is zoned AG (Agricultural) and has remained forested and undisturbed.
2. The property originally had agricultural zoning before it was rezoned to an office district in 1982. The property has remained undeveloped.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The stated purpose of the AG district is to provide for agricultural uses and to prevent encroachment of incompatible land uses. The subject property's connection to over 100 acres of contiguous AG zoning aligns with this intent to protect and buffer this district.
2. This property meets the dimensional standards of the AG district, which include a minimum lot size of 5 acres and a minimum lot width of 200 ft.

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 uses outside of agriculture that are permitted in this district are generally less intensive. More intensive uses like heavy retail and rental operations or a reception facility would go through a special use review by the Planning Commission to evluate its impact on the surrounding area.
2. A downzoning from the OP (Office Park) to the AG district is more compatible with the surrounding natural area along Pleasant Ridge, and is not anticipated to have any adverse impacts on other properties.

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. AG zoning is consistent with the Northwest City Sector Plan as amended to expand the LDR (Low Density Residential) land use classification throughout the parcel.
2. The proposed rezoning is not in conflict with development policies in the General Plan, or any other adopted plans pertaining to this area.

ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SCHOOLS, PARKS, POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION, ROADS, SANITARY 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 property is in an area that has ample utility infrastructure and community facility capacity.