Disposition Summary

Approve the request to expand the existing self-service storage facility by approximately 17,700 square feet of floor area in the CA (General Business) zone, subject to 6 conditions.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the request to expand the existing self-service storage facility by approximately 17,700 square feet of floor area in the CA (General Business) zone, subject to 6 conditions.

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1) Meeting all applicable requirements of the Knox County Zoning Ordinance, including but not limited to Article 4, Section 4.93.01. - Standards for self-service storage facilities.
2) Providing a cross access easement, or other approved easement, through the associated self-service storage facility on parcel 068 085 to provide access from Primus Road. No new access to a public road shall be provided directly from the subject site.
3) Submitting a landscape plan to Planning staff for review and approval before building permits are issued. The landscape plan must be consistent with the landscaping presented on sheet CC2. All landscaping required by Article 4, Section 4.93.01 must be planted outside of required opaque fences.
4) All commercial buildings and driveways must be located on the CA portion of the property. Required landscaping and fencing may be in the RA portion of the property.
5) Platting the subject site into one lot for this phase of the self-service storage facility. The CA portion of the platted lot must be a minimum of 2 acres. The existing facility on parcel 068 085 can remain on a separate lot if the CA zoning on the subject lot is greater than 2 acres.
6) Meeting all applicable requirements of the Knox County Department of Engineering and Public Works.

With the conditions noted above, the proposed self-service storage facility expansion meets the requirements for approval in the CA zone district, and the criteria for approval of a use on review.

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This proposal is to expand an existing outdoor self-service storage facility. This includes approximately 17,700 sqft of floor area with 137 storage units in 3 buildings. The combined facility on the subject site, excluding the associated facility to the north (parcel 068 085), will have 231 storage units and 12 RV canopy spaces.

A portion of this property at the intersection of Primus Rd and Murray Dr was rezoned to CA (General Business) in 2012 (9-B-12-RZ). The western portion of the property was rezoned to CA and RA (Low Density Residential) in 2022 (2-E-22-RZ). The RA zoning is meant to buffer adjacent properties and discourage further expansion of commercial zoning along Murray Drive.

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR USES PERMITTED ON REVIEW (ARTICLE 4.10 - SECTION 2).
The Planning Commission, in the exercise of its administrative judgment, shall be guided by adopted plans and policies, including the general plan and the following general standards:

1) THE USE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ADOPTED PLANS AND POLICIES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL PLAN AND SECTOR PLAN.
A. The subject property has a land use classification of LDR (Low Density Residential) and GC (General Commercial) in the Northwest City Sector Plan. The self-service storage facility is located in the GC portion of the property. The GC land use allows consideration of the CA zone, and self-service storage facilities are a use permitted on review in this zone.
B. The required opaque fencing and landscape screening adjacent to residential uses aligns with the General Plan's Development Policy 8.12, which recommends fence and landscape screening between commercial and residential uses.

2) THE USE IS IN HARMONY WITH THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE
A. The proposed self-service storage buildings and driveways will be located on the CA-zoned portion of the property. The required fencing and landscaping may be placed in the RA-zoned portion of the property.
B. With the recommended conditions, the proposed self-service storage facility meets the supplemental regulations in Article 4, Section 4.93.01.

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. This portion of the self-service storage facility has operated since 2016. The use on review was approved in 2014 (8-A-14-UR). The proposed expansion is similar in size and scale to existing structures. The structures are one-story, similar to nearby residential structures.

4) THE USE WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INJURE THE VALUE OF ADJACENT PROPERTY.
A. Self-service storage facilities have less impact on adjacent properties than most uses permitted in the CA zone district.
B. With the proposed conditions, the use is not anticipated to cause any adverse impacts to surrounding properties.

5) THE USE WILL NOT DRAW ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
A. Primus Road is an access road along I-75 and Murray Drive is a major collector street.

6) THE NATURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA IS NOT SUCH AS TO POSE A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE PROPOSED USE OR TO CREATE AN UNDESIRABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PROPOSED USE.
A. There are no known uses in the area that could be a potential hazard or create an undesirable environment for the proposed use.