Staff Recommendation

APPROVE the amendments

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BACKGROUND

1. Need for changes to the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) Ordinance: the original TND ordinance was adopted several years ago to foster the development of compact, mixed use, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods. At the time, the number of such ordinances and the ?track records? in completing such projects nationally was limited. In view of trends which have emerged in TND and staff experiences in administering Knoxville?s first TND project, Mechanicsville Commons, several changes are needed.
2. Need for changes to the Town Center Zoning Ordinance: Earlier this year, you approved a development plan for the North Shore Town Center. Some of the concepts that have been explored in the commercial portion of the development would not be possible in view of the ordinance language. Specifically, drive-through for banks and pharmacies and greater flexibility in allowing a limited proportion of one-story commercial buildings as part of town Center development (such as a grocery store). Drive-through bank facilities are allowed in the county TC ordinance; the following amendment will bring the two ordinances toward a greater degree of similarity.

MPC Comprehensive Planning staff, who are knowledgeable about New Urbanism development (Mike Carberry and Jeff Archer) collaborated with the Development Services staff who administers TND and TC development plan approval (Buz Johnson, Dan Kelly and Tom Brechko) in drafting the changes. Various City departments and the developers who have used the TND and TC zones were provided an opportunity to comment on the draft.

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Disposition Summary

APPROVE the amendments