Disposition Summary

Approve the RN-6 (Multi-Family Residential Neighborhood) district because it is consistent with the sector plan and surrounding development.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the RN-6 (Multi-Family Residential Neighborhood) district because it is consistent with the sector plan and surrounding development.

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PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 16.1.E, 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 subject property is located in an area of the Fort Sanders Neighborhood where there has been significant redevelopment of former industrial, commercial, and single-family properties into multifamily residential communities with surface and structured parking lots.
2. The Planning Commission recently approved a rezoning request from O (Office) to RN-6 ((Multi-Family Residential Neighborhood) zoning for the parcel surrounding the subject property on three sides (6-F-23-RZ).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE:
1. The RN-6 zoning district is designed for high density neighborhoods characterized by a mixture of all housing types including single-family, two-family, townhouse and multifamily.
2. There is RN-6 zoning throughout the neighborhood, including properties on the adjacent block to the east of the subject parcel. The land uses surrounding the subject property are consistent with the type of area for which the RN-6 district is intended.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE CITY, NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AMENDMENT:
1. There are no adverse impacts anticipated with the proposed rezoning. Adequate parking is an often-cited concern in this area, but any further residential development that may occur would be required to adhere to the off-street parking standards in the zoning ordinance.
2. This area hosts the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center campus, a major employer and service provider to the surrounding community. The neighborhood is served by multiple bus routes, sidewalk infrastructure, and a service-oriented commercial node to the south along Cumberland Avenue. The subject property is approximately .5 mile from the nearest access point of the Third Creek Greenway Trail and Tyson Park, both of which provides many recreational opportunities.
3. The requested rezoning to the RN-6 district would enable development which is consistent with the surrounding properties and would be supported by numerous residential amenities.

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 proposed zoning is consistent with the General Plan's Development Policy 8 that encourages growth in the existing urban area. This policy recommends protection of residential areas from encroaching commercial development and other incompatible uses, and protection of neighborhoods from intrusive uses and blighting influences.
2. The proposed zoning also aligns with the General Plan's Development Policy 4.11 that encourages the growth of housing in downtown.
3. The Central City Sector Plan's land use classification for this area is MU-SD, CC22 (Mixed Use Special-District, Fort Sanders Medical District). The recommended uses in this district include high density residential development, which is consistent with RN-6 zoning.
4. The Fort Sanders Neighborhood Plan recommends office land uses at this location but the developed landscape has significantly changed since the plan's adoption in 2000. The proposed high density residential land use is a minor extension of the plan's recommended land use for properties on the adjacent block to the east.