Disposition Summary

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and would bring the property into compliance with the zoning ordinance.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and would bring the property into compliance with the zoning ordinance.

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PURSUANT TO THE KNOX COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 6.30.01, THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET FOR ALL REZONINGS (must meet all of these):

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED OR CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND ZONES AFFECTED, OR IN THE COUNTY GENERALLY.
1. Development trends in the surrounding area have mainly been residential in nature, consisting primarily of single-family dwellings on a range of lot sizes and one mobile home park.
2. Since the early 2000s, there has been a gradual transition from A (Agricultural) zoning to residential zoning, such as RA (Low Density Residential), RB (General Residential), and PR (Planned Residential) with up to 3 to 4 du/ac.
3. The subject property has a lot size of 0.74 acres, and the minimum lot area for a dwelling in the A zone is one acre. Approving the requested RA zone would bring the subject property into compliance, as it meets the minimum standards of the RA zone, which is 10,000 sq ft.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE.
1. The RA zone is intended to provide for areas with low population densities. It is compatible with the surrounding residential zoning, which includes properties zoned RA, RB, and PR with up to 3 to 4 du/ac.
2. Rezonings should be based on the entire range of uses allowed within a zone to ensure that any development brought forth at a future time would be compatible with the surrounding land uses. The RA zone allows primarily residential and civic uses, which align with the character of the surrounding area.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AN AMENDMENT.
1. The RA zone is considered a low-density residential zone. As such, it is not anticipated to negatively impact the surrounding area, which is mainly residential.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF KNOX COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS, MAJOR ROAD PLAN, LAND USE PLAN, COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN, AND OTHERS:
1. The subject property's place type is SR (Suburban Residential) in the Knox County Comprehensive Plan. The RA zone is directly related to the SR place type. The housing mix of the SR place type calls for predominantly single-family dwellings with lots smaller than one acre and attached residential dwellings such as duplexes, both of which are permitted in the RA zone.
2. The recommended rezoning complies with the Comprehensive Plan's Implementation Policy 2, to ensure that new development is sensitive to existing community character. The lot sizes and allowable uses in the RA zone are consistent with the character of the surrounding area.
3. The subject property is within the Urban Growth Boundary of the Growth Policy Plan, which encourages a reasonably compact development pattern. The allowable lot sizes and housing types in the RA zone support the intent of the Urban Growth Boundary.