Disposition Summary

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with the sector plan and other development in the area.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with the sector plan and other development in the area.

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This plan was submitted prior to the adoption of the Knox County Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan. The Knox County General Plan, which the sector plans were part of, was the active plan at the time of the application. Therefore, this rezoning request was reviewed under the General Plan.

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 DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. In 2022, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Knox County completed the intersection improvements including the signalization of Shipetown Road and Rutledge Pike (CIP ID 588).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RA zone provides for residential areas with low population densities. The surrounding area consists of low density residential development, so the request for RA on this property is consistent with the zone's intent.
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 predominantly residential uses, though there are a handful of low-impact, nonresidential uses allowed.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY, NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AMENDMENT.
1. This property is located in an area with a mix of residential zones and densities. Surrounding zoning includes the A and RA zones, and there is a commercial node nearby to the west zoned CN.
2. The RA zone has a minimum lot size of approximately 10,000 sq ft, which yields a density of roughly 4 du/ac. Built at maximum capacity, this property could be developed with up to 2 lots.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN OF KNOXVILLE AND KNOX COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS, MAJOR ROAD PLAN, LAND USE PLAN, COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN, AND OTHERS:
1. The subject property is designated as the LDR (Low Density Residential) land use classification in the Northeast County Sector Plan, which allows consideration of the RA zone for properties in the Planned Growth Areas of the Growth Policy Plan.
2. The recommended rezoning complies with the General Plan's development policy 9.3 to ensure the context of new development, including scale and compatibility, does not impact existing neighborhoods and communities.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
1. While the Sector Plan was the active plan at the time of the request, the Knox County Comprehensive Plan became effective on April 26th. This property has the TN (Traditional Neighborhood) place type, which allows consideration of the RA zone.