Disposition Summary

Approve the A (Agriculture) zone because it is consistent with the sector plan designation and will allow development compatible with the surrounding land uses.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the A (Agriculture) zone because it is consistent with the sector plan designation and will allow development compatible with the surrounding land uses.

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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 COUNTY GENERALLY:
1. The area surrounding the subject property is primarily vacant, zoned industrial, and historically used for mining.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The A zone provides for residential and agricultural uses. The property has historically been used for agriculture and intends to continue this use.

THE 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. This property is located in an area with a mix of industrial and recreational uses. Downzoning the property from RA to A is consistent with the current use of the surrounding properties. There is a small commercial node approximately .25 mile south across the Mascot-Rainbow Arch Bridge. The surrounding I (Industrial) land does not contain industrial uses and is primarily vacant.
2. The A zone has a minimum lot size of approximately 1 acre per dwelling unit. The applicant intends to continue to utilize the property for agricultural purposes.
3. The property is surrounded by a rail line to the north and the Holston River to the south.
4. The property is within the 100 and 500-year flood plains.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN OF KNOXVILLE AND KNOX COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS, MAJOR ROAD PLAN, LAND USE PLAN, COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN, AND OTHERS:
1. The subject property is designated as the LDR (Low Density Residential) land use classification in the Northeast County Sector Plan and is in the SP (Stream Protection) and HP (Hilltop Protection) areas. Significant efforts over the years have been made to preserve farmland, which is a predominant feature of the Northeast County sector plan. This property includes prime farmland soil.
2.This rezoning is consistent with the goals of the Northeast Sector Plan.
3. Neither the requested nor the recommended zones are in conflict with the General Plan.