Staff Recommendation

DENY the request to amend the future land use map of the South County Sector Plan to C (Commercial) land use classification.

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If the planning commission finds that a change is warranted at this location, staff recommends NC (Neighborhood Commercial) as an appropriate land use classification and recommends that MPC adopt resolution # 6-A-14-SP, amending the South County Sector Plan to NC (Neighborhood Commercial) as shown on the attached MPC staff recommendation map, and recommend that County Commission also adopt the sector plan amendment. (See attached resolution, Exhibit A.)

The applicant had requested general commercial uses, but the policies of the Knoxville-Knox County General Plan 2033 do not warrant the redesignation of this site for general business commercial uses. With the exception of a small (0.4 acre), CA-zoned convenience store to the east, the site is surrounded by residential or agricultural zoning. Placing a general commercial designation on this 3.4-acre site would allow uses that would be incompatible with the scale and intensity of surrounding development. The NC (Neighborhood Commercial) classification is appropriate for this site, considering the surrounding zoning pattern and property location. General plan policies 9.3, 9.9, 9.10 and 9.12 support NC uses at this location (see attached excerpt from the Knoxville-Knox County General Plan 2033). The NC designation is more appropriate for this site because it is intended for placement near residential uses at major intersections, while general commercial uses are not. There are several large subdivisions to the south along Maryville Pike and more houses to the west along Topside Rd., whose residents could benefit from having neighborhood-serving commercial uses nearby. The purpose of the 75 foot wide strip of land that is not recommended to be changed is to provide a buffer to adjacent established residences to the west along Topside Rd. It would remain under the current LDR plan designation and is recommended to be rezoned to RA, in order to allow it to be developed with a detached residential use, if so desired.

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Disposition Summary

DENY the request to amend the future land use map of the South County Sector Plan to C (Commercial) land use classification. (Rezoning 6-B-14-RZ appeal to County Commission 8/25/14)