Disposition Summary

Approve the PR (Planned Residential) zone with up to 2 du/ac because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and surrounding development.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the PR (Planned Residential) zone with up to 2 du/ac 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 DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE CITY/COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. The immediate area has a modest transition from the A zone to the PR and RA zones, which began in 1985 but has undergone a small uptick in the frequency of these requests, picking up momentum in the mid 2000s. One of these rezoning cases led to the development of the 38-lot Brooks Meadow subdivision north of the subject property, on a property with the PR zone with a density up to 4.7 du/ac.
2. Residential development under the PR zone with a density of 2 du/ac would allow lot sizes that would likely be compatible with the area. Many of the surrounding properties with the A (Agricultural) zone are nonconforming to the 1-acre minimum lot size requirement and were developed as single-family residential uses.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The PR zone is intended to provide flexibility for different types of residential development. Houses, duplexes and multi-dwelling structures and developments are permitted in the PR zone along with some nonresidential uses.
2. At the requested density of 2 du/ac, this 5.28-acre property could have up to 10 dwelling units.
3. 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.

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. No adverse impacts are anticipated with this rezoning. PR zone at the requested density would be compatible with this area.
2. A Development Plan review by the Planning Commission will be required to further ensure compatibility with the surrounding area and mitigate any potential adverse issues.

THE 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 PR zone is consistent with the subject property's location in the Planned Growth boundary of the Growth Policy Plan, which encourages a reasonably compact pattern of development and wide range of housing choices.
2. The proposed rezoning is compatible with the property's RL (Rural Living) place type as defined in the new Comprehensive Plan, which allows consideration of the PR zone with densities up to 2 du/ac.
3. Residential development at the requested density would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's implementation policy 2, which encourages to ensure that development is sensitive to existing community character.