Staff Recommendation

APPROVE I-4 (Heavy Industrial) / IH-1 (Infill Housing Overlay) zoning, subject to 2 conditions:

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Gerdau Ameristeel owns all of the subject parcels and has demolished the dwellings that were previously located there. They intend to expand their operations into this area. They have also requested a street closure (7-B-08-SC) of Louisiana Ave. between Sherman St. and its terminus, which lies between this site and the current Gerdau Ameristeel campus. A portion of the alley to the northwest of this site has also been requested for closure (7-A-08-AC). The remainder of the alley is proposed to be extended and turned to the north to connect with Connecticut Ave.

With the recommended conditions below, in addition to the I-4 required minimum 75 foot building setback adjacent to residential, I-4 zoning is compatible with surrounding development and zoning. It is also an extension of I-4 from the southeast.

1. No vehicular access to I-4 zoned property from either Sherman St. or Louisiana Ave. (if not closed with 7-B-08-SC application).
2. A minimum 50 feet wide easement must be established along the entire northwestern property line in order to provide for future greenway location, as requested by the City of Knoxville .

Effective as of June 13, 2008, certain provisions of Title 13, Chapter 3 of Tenn. Code Ann. Were amended by Public Chapter No. 1150. Specifically, T.C.A. 13-3-303 has been amended to require thirty (30) day publication notice prior to the adoption of any amendment to the General Plan. This request was previously acted upon by MPC after the effective date of the new rule, and without the required thirty (30) day publication notice. As a result, the previous actions by MPC are not valid. To rectify this situation, this plan amendment and rezoning request has been readvertised consistent with the 30 day requirement for ratification and reconfirmation of the previous MPC action on 7/10/2008 and City Council actions on 8/12/2008 and 8/26/2008.

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Disposition Summary

I-4 (k) (Heavy Industrial) / IH-1 (Infill Housing Overlay) subject to 2 conditions