Disposition Summary

Approve the MU-RC (Mixed Use Regional Center) land use classification because it is consistent with the land use plan's recommendations and development trends in the area. The SP (Stream Protection) classification would be retained.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the MU-RC (Mixed Use Regional Center) land use classification because it is consistent with the land use plan's recommendations and development trends in the area. The SP (Stream Protection) classification would be retained.

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PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ONE YEAR PLAN, CHAPTER 1, PLAN AMENDMENT, ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MUST BE MET FOR ALL ONE YEAR PLAN AMENDMENTS (may meet any of these):

AN ERROR IN THE PLAN:
1. The subject property's existing land use classification of MU-SD, CC-10 (Mixed-Use Special District, Gateway Corridor) is not the result of an error or omission in the One Year Plan. This classification stems from the adopted Downtown North/I-275 Corridor Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan, and pertains to the area between I-275 and Second Creek south of Woodland Avenue, and between I-40 and the railroad tracks west of Second Creek.
2. However, the vision and recommendations of the Gateway Corridor Mixed Use Special District are generally compatible with the requested MU-RC (Mixed Use Regional Center) designation, and MU-RC could have been included in the list of recommended land uses. This area is called the Gateway Corridor because these properties are considered gateways to downtown. Downtown is considered an exemplar of a regional mixed use center in the Land Use Classification Table. The plan calls for vertical mixed-use development, retail commercial, residential and office development. All of these uses are consistent with at least one of the recommended zoning districts in the MU-RC land use, and this context warrants considerations of the plan amendment request.

A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERN, OR THE COMPLETION OF A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT (ROAD, PARK, SEWER), WHICH CHANGES THE BASIS ON WHICH THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED FOR AN AREA:
1. The property's main access is on Blackstock Avenue, a major collector street with sidewalks. Although there have not been significant new roads or utilities installed recently, this is an area with ample utility and road infrastructure for future development.
2. This property may seem remote with its location beneath two overpasses and the way it is divided from properties to the south by a three-lane railroad. However, a long-standing pedestrian crossing runs underneath the railroad to the east that could connect the subject property directly to Worlds Fair Park and the Fort Sanders neighborhood via a complete network of sidewalks.
3. This walkable access potential and close proximity to Downtown Knoxville's Central Business District is consistent with the land use description of the requested MU-RC (Mixed Use Regional Center) classification.

A CHANGE IN PUBLIC POLICY, UNANTICIPATED BY THE PLAN:
1. There are no changes in public policy that are relevant to the requested plan amendment.

NEW INFORMATION (INCLUDING NEW PLANS AND STUDIES PRODUCED BY KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY PLANNING) BECOMING AVAILABLE, WHICH REVEALS THE NEED FOR A PLAN AMENDMENT:
1. There are no new studies or plans that pertain directly to the requested land use amendment.