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Staff Recommendation

Approve the MDR (Medium Density Residential) land use classification because it will provide a buffer between more intensive commercial uses and low-density residential uses.

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The HP (Hillside Protection) designation would be retained.

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PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ONE YEAR PLAN, CHAPTER 1, PLAN AMENDMENT, ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MUST BE MET FOR ALL ONE YEAR PLAN AMENDMENTS (may meet any of these):

AN ERROR IN THE PLAN:
1. There are no apparent errors or omissions in the sector plan with regard to the subject property. However, the requested MDR classification will provide a buffer between the MU-SD MU-WC-1 (Mixed Use Special District, Bearden Village) classification to the west that allows intense commercial uses within the Western Plaza strip mall and the LDR (Low Density Residential) classification to the east that is characterized by a single-family residential neighborhood.

A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERN, OR THE COMPLETION OF A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT (ROAD, PARK, SEWER), WHICH CHANGES THE BASIS ON WHICH THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED FOR AN AREA:
1. The subjects parcels are located within the northwest side of the Kingston Pike-Sequoyah Hills Association where the LDR and MU-SD MU-WC-1 land use classifications establish the edge between a commercial development and a residential neighborhood. While the neighborhood has retained its low-density residential character over the years, there have been several commercial developments along the Kingston Pike corridor within the Bearden Village Mixed Use Special District. For example, the Western Plaza has experienced major redevelopments between 2016-2019 that included construction of a three-story commercial and office building on the west side of the subject parcel. The MDR classification will work as a transitional area between the intense commercial uses and the residential uses.

CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY, UNANTICIPATED BY THE PLAN:
1. There has been no change in public policy pertaining to this area.

NEW INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEW PLANS AND STUDIES PRODUCED BY KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY PLANNING) BECOMING AVAILABLE, WHICH REVEALS THE NEED FOR A PLAN AMENDMENT:
1. There are no new studies or plans specific to this area or the MDR land use classification that apply to this request.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
1. The property meets the location criteria of the MDR classification. It is located on a major arterial street served by sidewalks with a nearby transit route, has less than 15% slope for almost its entirety, works as transitional areas between more intensive non-residential uses and low density residential neighborhoods, and is within a mile of public activity centers, including West High and Sequoyah Elementary schools, Third Creek Greenway, Third Creek Greenway Park, UT RecSports Complex, and numerous community-serving commercial amenities.