Disposition Summary

Approve the use of a daycare home because it is in harmony with the intent of the zoning code and compatible with the surrounding residential context.

---

Staff Recommendation

Approve the use of a daycare home because it is in harmony with the intent of the zoning code and compatible with the surrounding residential context.

---

This request is for a daycare home, which would serve a maximum of 7 children, at an end lot within a residential subdivision.

STANDARDS FOR EVALUATING A SPECIAL USE (ARTICLE 16.2.F.2)

1) THE USE IS CONSISTENT WITH ADOPTED PLANS AND POLICIES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL PLAN AND THE ONE-YEAR PLAN.
A. The use of a day care home, which is limited to the care of seven unrelated individuals who do not reside in the home, is consistent with the General Plan's Development Policy 1.1 to increase the competitive position of Knoxville for the retention and attraction of business activities. The American Planning Association published a policy guide on the provision of child care services, which is provided in Exhibit B. This policy guide makes the direct connection between the necessity for a range of childcare services in order to have a strong, sustainable and diverse workforce. This daycare home would provide an essential function for the local economy in alignment with General Plan goals.
2. The location of this daycare home is consistent with the One Year Plan's location criteria for educational facilities, which states that nursery schools should be located within or adjacent to residential areas on sites which are easily and safely accessible to through traffic. This home is located on a safe, local residential street that is quickly and easily accessible from Pleasant Ridge Road, a minor arterial street. With a capacity of no more than 7 children permitted per Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing regulations, this daycare home should not adversely affect surrounding properties.

2) THE USE IS IN HARMONY WITH THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THIS ZONING CODE.
A. The subject property is zoned RN-1 (Single-Family Residential Neighborhood) with a Previously Approved Planned District (C) designation reflecting its former RP-1 (Planned Residential) district zoning prior to the adoption of the current zoning code. Under the RN-1 district, this daycare home would not be required to come through Special Use review because it is a use permitted by right. However, because of the (C) designation, any change to a former planned district must be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The previously approved Greenbriar Place subdivision plan did not contemplate or prohibit the use of a daycare home, and the former RP-1 district permitted consideration of community facilities like a "private day nursery." The use of a daycare home at this location is consistent with the general intent of the zoning code.

3) THE USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT IS PROPOSED, AND WITH THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF BUILDINGS IN THE VICINITY.
A. The applicant lives in the home where the daycare will operate and this accessory use of the property will not significantly alter the size or appearance of the house. The use of a small day care operation is compatible with the surrounding context of a residential neighborhood.

4) THE USE WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INJURE THE VALUE OF ADJACENT PROPERTY OR BY NOISE, LIGHTS, FUMES, ODORS, VIBRATION, TRAFFIC, CONGESTION, OR OTHER IMPACTS DETRACT FROM THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT.
A. The scale and nature of this use is minimal and no adverse impacts to surrounding properties are anticipated. This use would have been permitted by right under the property's contemporary zoning district.

5) THE USE IS NOT OF A NATURE OR SO LOCATED AS TO DRAW SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC THROUGH RESIDENTIAL STREETS.
A. A childcare operation for 7 children that is approximately 850 ft from a minor arterial street should not cause an undue burden on surrounding residential traffic.