---

Staff Recommendation

Approve the RN-2 (Single-Family Residential Neighborhood) zoning district because it is consistent with adopted plans and supported by available amenities in the area. The HP (Hillside Protection Overlay) district would be retained.

---

PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 16.1.E, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET FOR ALL REZONINGS:

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED OR CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND DISTRICTS AFFECTED, OR IN THE CITY GENERALLY.
1. The subject property was formerly part of three 50-ft-wide lots oriented towards Arrow Drive to the south. Those properties were subdivided in 2018 and reoriented towards Sylvan Street, creating one 11,250 sq ft lot and one 16,500 sq ft lot. The requested rezoning would enable a similar lot size to the zone in place at the time of the replat.
2. The broader surrounding area consists of established single-family neighborhoods in close proximity to neighborhood parks and civic uses. Though the development pattern has not substantially changed, there has been a gradual increase in infill development over the last 10 years.
3. The subject property is located on Sylvan Street, which does not have a uniform development pattern and is surrounded by single-family dwellings of varying lot sizes and setbacks. The RN-2 (Single-Family Residential Neighborhood) district at this site would permit infill development on a scale that is compatible with the character of the area and in close proximity to community amenities.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THIS CODE.
1. The RN-2 district is intended to accommodate low density single-family residential development on relatively small lots with smaller setbacks. The RN-2 district would be compatible with the surrounding area, which consists of small and medium lots with varying widths and setbacks.
2. 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. The RN-2 district permits the same uses as the RN-1 district.

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. A blue-line stream runs through the rear of the property. A minimum 30-ft riparian buffer would be required, which prohibits clearing, grading, filling, paving, and building near the stream.
2. The subject property is 112 ft wide and approximately 16,500 sq ft. The RN-2 district requires a minimum lot width of 50 ft and lot area of 5,000 sq ft. However, the presence of the stream buffer, combined with the dimensional standards of the RN-2 district, would limit the amount of development that could occur on the site.
3. Should this request be approved, the driveway would need to be relocated for future development to provide an adequate line of sight. If subdivided, the lots would likely be required to share a driveway.
4. Access is from Sylvan Street, an unstriped local street with uneven pavement widths ranging from 16 to 17 ft. However, the minor increase in residential density is not expected to generate substantial residential traffic in the area.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY GENERAL PLAN AND ITS COMPONENT PARTS, INCLUDING ADOPTED SECTOR PLANS, CORRIDOR PLANS, AND RELATED DOCUMENTS.
1. The subject property is designated LDR (Low Density Residential) under the City's One Year Plan and East City Sector Plan, which allows consideration of the RN-2 zoning district.
2. The proposed rezoning is consistent with the General Plan's Development Policy 8: Encourage growth in existing urban areas. The subject property is within 0.5 miles of Sarah Moore Greene Elementary School and the Sarah Moore Greene Greenway, and within 1 mile of Skyline Park, James Smith Park, and the Knoxville Botanical Gardens.

WHETHER ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SCHOOLS, PARKS, POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION, ROADS, SANITARY SEWERS, STORM SEWERS, AND WATER LINES, OR ARE REASONABLY CAPABLE OF BEING PROVIDED PRIOR TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IF THE AMENDMENT WERE ADOPTED.
1. This is an urbanized area with ample utility and facility infrastructure to support a rezoning of this site.
2. There are numerous community amenities within a mile radius of the subject property, including schools, parks, and recreation centers, to support a rezoning of this site.