Rezoning

9-Q-24-RZ

Recommended for approval
by the Planning Commission

Approve the PR (Planned Residential) zone with up to 1.5 du/ac because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and surrounding development. The TO (Technology Overlay) and F (Floodway) zones would be retained.


Request

Property Info

Case Notes

What's next?

Applicant Request

+

Property Information

+
Location
0 GEORGE LIGHT RD

Southeast side of George Light Rd, northeast side of Solway Rd

Commission District 6


Size
2.12 acres

Place Type Designation
SR (Suburban Residential), SP (Stream Protection), HP (Hillside Ridgetop Protection)

Currently on the Property
Agriculture/Forestry/Vacant Land, Water

Growth Plan
Planned Growth Area

Fire Department / District
Karns Fire Department

Case Notes

+
Disposition Summary
Approve the PR (Planned Residential) zone with up to 1.5 du/ac because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and surrounding development. The TO (Technology Overlay) and F (Floodway) zones would be retained.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the PR (Planned Residential) zone with up to 1.5 du/ac because it is consistent with the Knox County Comprehensive Plan and surrounding development. The TO (Technology Overlay) and F (Floodway) zones would be retained.
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 ZONES AFFECTED, OR IN THE COUNTY GENERALLY.
1. Development in the surrounding area has gradually shifted from undeveloped agricultural lands to residential uses since 2003. The trend in significant development began with a 63-lot subdivision constructed 934 ft north of the subject property in 2004. Since then, four additional single-family subdivisions have been built within .31 miles of the subject property.
2. In 2022, a 49-unit subdivision constructed 288-ft northwest of the subject property.
3. In 2020, Knox County established the Beaver Creek Water Trail, which runs along the property's eastern lot line.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND PURPOSES OF THE APPLICABLE ZONING ORDINANCE.
1. The PR (Planned Residential) zone is intended to encourage more imaginative solutions to environmental design problems and is compatible with surrounding zones. The subject property is situated on a steep incline abutting Beaver Creek, with 25-40% slopes and above 40% ranges, according to the slope analysis (Exhibit B). It is also in a floodway and floodplain as determined by FEMA.
2. The TO (Technology Overlay) zone is intended to provide for physical development review in the Tennessee Technology Corridor Area. The TO zone requires TTCDA approval of all rezoning requests. This request will be heard at the September 9, 2024 TTCDA meeting (9-B-24-TOR).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY NOR SHALL ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULT FROM SUCH AN AMENDMENT.
1. The subject property is partially in a FEMA floodway and 100- and 500-yr floodplains. The floodway protections are meant to mitigate the impacts of development on the waterways. Site plans will be required to comply with the Knox County Stormwater Ordinance.
2. The recommended 1.5 du/ac density could yield a maximum of three lots, which is appropriate due to the sensitive environmental nature of the site and its proximity to Beaver Creek. The recommended density is consistent with the surrounding area, which consists of single-family dwellings in planned residential zones with varying densities between 1-4 du/ac.
3. Before permitting can begin, the subject property must undergo a public review process and obtain Planning Commission approval by submitting a development plan. The plan will be reviewed to determine whether the proposed development is compatible with the surrounding community.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH AND NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF KNOX COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY OF ITS ELEMENTS, MAJOR ROAD PLAN, LAND USE PLAN, COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN, AND OTHERS:
1. The subject property's place type is SR (Suburban Residential) in the Knox County Comprehensive Plan. Under the SR place type, the PR zone allows up to 1.5 units per acre and is considered a partially related zone. Per Appendix H of the Comprehensive Plan, a partially related zone must satisfy additional criteria for approval. This property meets Criteria 2, that the zoning district be compatible with the current zoning of adjacent sites, which includes low-density zones such as RA (Low Density Residential) and PR up to 3 du/ac.
2. The recommended rezoning complies with the Comprehensive Plan's Implementation Policy 2, to ensure that new development is sensitive to existing community character. The lot sizes and uses allowed by the PR zone at a density of 1.5 units per acre are consistent with other residential developments in the area.

What's next?

+
After the Planning Commission
Knox County Commission
October 21, 2024
Appeal by: September 17, 2024
Applicant

Gregory Dee


Case History