Disposition Summary

Approve the GC (General Commercial) land use classification because it is compatible with the surrounding development and is an extension of this classification. The HP (Hillside Protection) designation would be retained.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the GC (General Commercial) land use classification because it is compatible with the surrounding development and is an extension of this classification. 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 One Year Plan with regard to the subject property. However, the proposed plan amendment to the GC land use will be an extension of this classification from the east.

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. Between 2011 and 2016, a $33-million capital improvement project was completed to widen Western Avenue from Copper Kettle Street to Schaad Road, expanding it from a two-lane road to a five-lane road with sidewalks. The Northwest City Sector Plan was adopted in 2015 while the project was ongoing and recommended a mix of general commercial, neighborhood commercial, medium-density residential, and office uses along this 3.9-mile segment.
2. The subject property is located at the border of the MDR and GC classifications, and extending the commercial classification generally supports the sector plan's goal to develop this corridor with a variety of medium- to high-intensity uses. This is further supported by a transit route along this segment, which was not in place when the plan was adopted.
3. Development pattern in this street segment primarily includes commercial uses and forested vacant lands. No residential developments have occurred within the immediate MDR classification since the most recent adoption of the sector plan. Approval of the GC classification would be consistent with the commercial character of this corridor.

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.