City Council Workshop On Proposed Mixed Use Zoning

The Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) has been working on the proposed Mixed Use District zoning since 2015, and has compiled a comprehensive ordinance based on that work.

The development of the ordinance was based on extensive public input. The proposed zoning revisions would allow residential uses in commercial areas and require development to be more pedestrian friendly.

A City Council workshop was held on November 17 specifically to discuss the initial draft of the mixed use zoning district. The meeting was held because of concern about how this mixed use code would fit into the upcoming comprehensive update to the zoning code for the City of Knoxville. City Council members agreed that mixed use zoning districts are needed, but wanted to ensure this zoning integrates seamlessly with the updated zoning code in the long-term.

Based on direction from the City Council, the proposed Mixed Use District zoning was tabled at the December 8th Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting.

In the near-term, MPC will look at options for allowing consideration of residential uses in the C-3 commercial zone. Amendments will be drafted to create development standards that will be applied when someone requests residential uses in this zone.

The work that has been completed for the proposed Mixed Use District zoning will be a great resource for the zoning ordinance update. The completed documents and maps, along with the public input that has been gathered, will help inform the update process, which is scheduled to begin early in 2017.