Disposition Summary

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

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Staff Recommendation

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

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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. The residential density in the area has increased since the late 1990s, with multiple rezonings from A (Agricultural) to RA (Low Density Residential), RAE (Exclusive Residential), and PR (Planned Residential) up to 3, 4, and 5 dwelling units per acre.
2. Messer Lane is a dead end street that primarily features RA zoning, and seven lots on the street have been rezoned from A to RA since 2020.
3. The subject property does not meet the 1 acre minimum lot size of its current A zoning. Rezoning the property to RA would bring it into compliance with the zoning code.

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, RAE, A, and PR up to 3-5 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 primarily allows residential and civic uses, which aligns with the existing residential character of the 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 a low-density residential zone that allows single family houses and duplexes with use on review approval by the Planning Commission. These uses are consistent with the existing residential character.
2. Messer Lane is an unstriped local street with a dead end that is accessed from Weaver Road, a minor collector that routes traffic to other classified streets. Traffic would be minimally affected by a development permitted under RA zoning, and it would not be routed through side streets.

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 property is within the SR (Suburban Residential) place type of the Knox County Comprehensive Plan, which lists the RA zone as directly related. The housing mix of the SR place type calls for single family houses on small lots and attached residential houses 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 Planned Growth Area of the Growth Policy Plan, which encourages a reasonably compact development pattern and a wide range of housing choices. The allowable lot sizes and housing types of the RA zone support the intent of the Planned Growth Area.