To be heard May 14, 2026Agenda Item No. 39

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Staff Recommendation

APPROVE the RA (Low Density Residential) zone because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and surrounding development.

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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 surrounding area has historically been developed for residential uses, including a rezoning from RA to PR (Planned Residential) up to 3 du/ac in 2007 to the south of the site and use on review approval of duplexes in 2023 nearly adjacent to the site.

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 residential areas with low population densities. The uses permitted in this zone are limited to low-impact residential development which is consistent with existing buildout in the area.
2. This request aligns with Implementation Policy 2 of the Comprehensive Plan, "Ensure development is sensitive to existing community character." The surrounding area has a development pattern akin to that permitted by the RA zone.

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. As such, it is not anticipated to negatively impact the surrounding area. This property was rezoned from RA to A
(Agricultural) in 1998 (3-K-98-RZ). It is the only property zoned A on this stretch of Belt Road.
2. Access to the lot for development purposes would be subject to review and approval from the Knox County Engineering and public Works Department., but development under the RA zone is not expected to add significant traffic to this street.

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 SR (Suburban Residential) place type is directly related to the RA zoning district. A rezoning to the RA zone would bring the zoning of the parcel into compliance with the County Comprehensive plan, as the current A (Agricultural) zone is not related to the SR place type.
2. The subject site is within the urban growth boundary of the Growth Policy Plan, the purposes of which are to encourage a reasonably compact pattern of development, promote expansion of the Knoxville-Knox County economy, offer a wide range of housing choices, and coordinate the actions of the public and private sectors, particularly with regard to provision of adequate roads, utilities , schools, drainage and other public facilities and services. The RA zone supports these policies.
3. This request aligns with Implementation Policy 2 of the Comprehensive Plan, "Ensure development is sensitive to existing community character." The surrounding area has a development pattern akin to that permitted by the RA zone.