Disposition Summary

Approve the One Year Plan amendment to the MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/Office) land use classification because it is consistent with surrounding land uses.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the One Year Plan amendment to the MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/Office) land use classification because it is consistent with surrounding land uses.

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Approve the One Year Plan amendment to the MDR/O (Medium Density Residential/Office) land use classification because it is consistent with surrounding land uses.

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ONE YEAR PLAN AMENDMENT REQUIREMENTS:

CHANGES OF CONDITIONS WARRANTING AMENDMENT OF THE LAND USE PLAN (May meet any one of these.)

AN ERROR IN THE PLAN:
1. The One Year Plan's LDR (Low Density Residential) land use classification does not account for the current C-N (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning along this section of Merchant Drive. Considering the property's location between MDR (Medium Density Residential) and O (Office) land uses, MDR/O is a compatible land use classification for its surroundings.
2. The property was part of a 2021 request for a plan amendment to MDR/O that was ultimately withdrawn (1-E-21-PA). The request incorporated a broader geography almost double in size that included area within the HP (Hillside Protection) overlay. The current request is limited to the section that is outside of the HP overlay, much of which has been previously disturbed, making it more suitable for MDR/O consideration.

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 property is in the Parental Responsibility Zone for both Northwest Middle and Norwood Elementary school. It has sidewalk access to many destinations including two commercial nodes to the east and west on Merchant Drive. The existing infrastructure in this area can accommodate the types of development permitted within the MDR/O designation.

A CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY, UNANTICIPATED BY THE PLAN:
1. There are no significant changes in public policy pertaining to the subject property that were not anticipated by the One Year Plan.

NEW INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEW PLANS AND STUDIES PRODUCED BY KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY PLANNING) BECOMING AVAILABLE, WHICH REVEALS THE NEED FOR A PLAN AMENDMENT:
1. Knoxville is one of the fastest growing cities in the state, and population projections for the region show a continuation of that growth into the future. There is high demand for housing in the City, and the MDR/O classification allows for consideration of additional residential density in a location with numerous commercial, transportation and community amenities.