To be heard May 8, 2025Agenda Item No. 56

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Staff Recommendation

APPROVE the request for a duplex as identified on the development plan, subject to 2 conditions.

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1. Meeting all applicable requirements of the Knox County Department of Engineering and Public Works.
2. Meeting all applicable requirements of the Knox County Zoning Ordinance.

With the conditions noted, this plan meets the requirements for approval in the RA (Low Density Residential) district and the other general criteria for approval of a Use on Review.

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The proposal is to convert a 2-story single family house to a duplex on an existing 0.96-acre lot in the RA zone district. There will be no change to the exterior of the home.

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR USES PERMITTED ON REVIEW (ARTICLE 4.10 - SECTION 2).
The Planning Commission, in the exercise of its administrative judgment, shall be guided by adopted plans and policies, including the general plan and the following general standards:

1) THE USE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ADOPTED PLANS AND POLICIES, INCLUDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF KNOX COUNTY.
A. The use is in conformity with the SR (Suburban Residential) place type on the property. The housing mix in the SR place type includes duplexes, multiplexes, and townhomes that have the scale of a single family home.
B. The proposed duplex is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's Implementation Policy 6 to promote attainable housing that meets the needs of future and current residents.

2) THE USE IS IN HARMONY WITH THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE
A. The RA (Low Density Residential) zone is intended to provide for residential areas with low population densities and permits duplexes as a use on review.
B. The minimum lot area is 20,000 sq ft without sewer to allow consideration of a duplex. The lot is approximately 41,818 sq ft.
C. Houses and duplexes require 2 parking spaces for each dwelling unit. The property has 2 existing driveways.

3) THE USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT IS PROPOSED, AND WITH THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF BUILDINGS IN THE VICINITY.
A. The surrounding residential uses are primarily single family residential development with lot sizes generally less than one acre.
B. Since the exterior will not change, the duplex has the scale and the facade of a single family home.

4) THE USE WILL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INJURE THE VALUE OF ADJACENT PROPERTY.
A. The proposed duplex is not expected to cause any adverse impacts or injure property values.

5) THE USE WILL NOT DRAW ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
A. Traffic volume in this neighborhood will not be substantially increased as a result of the proposed duplex.

6) THE NATURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA IS NOT SUCH AS TO POSE A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE PROPOSED USE OR TO CREATE AN UNDESIRABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PROPOSED USE.
A. There are no known uses in the area that could be a potential hazard or create an undesirable environment for the proposed duplexes.