Disposition Summary

Approve the PR (Planned Residential) zone with up to 5 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 5 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. Since 2004, there have been some A to RA and PR rezonings at densities ranging from up to 4.5-5 du/ac in the area along Asheville Hwy and Strawberry Plains Pike. More subdivisions have been developing along Strawberry Plains Pike consisting of small and medium-sized lots with single family detached residential houses, while Asheville Hwy has remained mostly a commercial corridor.

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 5 du/ac, this property could have up to 245 dwellings.
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. The property predominantly contains slopes of 15% or less. The recommended density from the Hillside & Ridgetop Protection Plan is 4.94 du/ac.
2. This property is within the Parental Responsibility Zone for Carter Elementary on Strawberry Plains Pike. Future development may be required to provide sidewalks along the frontage of Strawberry Plains Pike per Knox County Sidewalk Ordinance.
3. PR zoning requires that development plans be submitted for Planning Commission review. At that time, issues such as access, surrounding character, and community input may be provided regarding the proposed development plan.

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 at 5 du/ac is consistent with the Corridor Mixed-use, Rural Conservation, and Suburban Residential place types the subject properties are designated as in the Comprehensive Plan, all of which allow consideration of up to 5 du/ac or greater in the Urban Growth Area.
2. This property is 1.25 miles from a commercial node at Asheville Hwy, Andrew Johnson Hwy, and Strawberry Plains Pike. Carter schools, parks, a library and a senior center are also within 2 miles of the development. Residential development at this location is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's implementation policy 5, Create neighborhoods with a variety of housing types and amenities in close proximity.
3. The East County Community Plan designates Asheville Hwy and Strawberry Plains Pike as Development Corridors. These roadways are appropriate for a more intense development pattern with planned infrastructure expansion.