Disposition Summary

Approve the RB (General Residential) zone because it is consistent with the sector plan and surrounding development supports more residential intensity, subject to 2 conditions.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RB (General Residential) zone because it is consistent with the sector plan and surrounding development supports more residential intensity, subject to 2 conditions.

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Zoning Conditions:

1. Preserving vegetation along the slope that exceeds 25% at the rear border of the property, as shown in red in the attached slope analysis.
2. Maintaining a 20-ft vegetative buffer along the property lines that abut single family residential homes if proposed residential development on the subject property exceeds 5 dwelling units per acre.

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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. The area surrounding the subject property has seen numerous upgrades and developments to support consideration of more residential intensity on the subject property.
2. The Grassy Creek shopping center is a service-oriented commercial node in development 1/4 mile west of the subject property. A large grocery store and gas service station are complete and operational at this stage.
3. The subject property is located along Oak Ridge Highway, a major arterial street that was upgraded in 2016 with sidewalks and additional lanes. A new intersection at Schaad Rd and Oak Ridge Highway was constructed in 2008, where the shopping center is located, and it provides signalized crosswalks for pedestrian access to this amenity.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RB (General Residential) zone is intended for medium density residential development. A multi-dwelling project with up to 12 dwelling units per acre is permitted by right. Considering the subject property's short distance from a major arterial street providing walking access to a commercial node, the RB zone is an appropriate consideration at this location.

THE 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. It is important to note that the subject property is located at the edge of a single family neighborhood, with close proximity to Oak Ridge Highway. This location should protect nearby residents from undue traffic congestion along the local residential street of Beaver Ridge Rd.
2. The property is forested and within the Hillside Protection (HP) area, but 94% of the parcel has slopes below a 25% grade. Any future development plan will be reviewed by County Engineering to address stormwater management issues.
3. With staff's recommended conditions regarding slope protection and vegetative buffers, there are no adverse impacts anticipated with the proposed rezoning to RB.

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 subject property has a LDR (Low Density Residential) land use classification in the Northwest City Sector Plan. The RB zone is listed as an alternative zone that can be considered.
2. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the subject property's location in the Urban Growth Boundary of the Growth Policy Plan.
3. The requested RB zone is not in conflict with the General Plan or any other adopted plans.