Planning and Zoning Commission

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES June 14, 2022 The meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm by Acting Chairperson Lucas Young and on roll call the following members were present: Mike Cox Kirsten Meyers (via Zoom) Lucas Young Scott Ziller Members not present: Willie Swayne & Jacob Vander Ecken Staff Present: Nathan Parch, Planning & Zoning Administrator, Glenn Lyons, Economic Development Director, and Heather Ussery, City Manager Public Present: Susan Swartzendruber, Executive Director, Robert Stittsworth, Public Housing Coordinator, and board members Anne Ogle Leonard and Curt Schwanebeck, all with Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville It was moved and seconded to approve the June 14, 2022 agenda. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Cox, Meyers, Young, Ziller; Nays: None; Absent: Vander Ecken, Swayne It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2022 meeting. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Cox, Meyers, Young, Ziller; Nays: None; Absent: Vander Ecken, Swayne Old Business: Consider a request from Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville to rezone the property at 714 W. Rock Island Street from R-3, Multi-Family Residential District, to M-1, Service Commercial/Limited Industrial District, for use as an office building Nathan Parch noted this item was discussed at the May 10, 2022 meeting and tabled for future discussion. No new information has been received since then. Mr. Parch relayed that rezoning is the only available tool at this time to permit an office use at the subject property. The current R-3, multi-family residential, zoning designation does not allow for offices as either a permitted or special use. Further, the Zoning Code restricts the Board of Adjustment from granting a variance to allow a use not permissible or expressly prohibited in any district. 1  PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES June 14, 2022 Susan Swartzendruber, Executive Director of Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville, was present and introduced Public Housing Coordinator Robert Stittsworth and board members Anne Ogle Leonard and Curt Schwanebeck. Ms. Swartzendruber shared the reasons why the Agency proposed to relocate its offices at city hall to the existing single- family structure at 714 W. Rock Island Street and the necessary steps and timing needed to comply with requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), who provides their funding. Ms.- Swartzendruber clarified that Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville is an independent agency and not a city department. City Manager Heather Ussery clarified that both Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville and the Knoxville Senior Center are tenants at city hall, each with a separate lease agreement in place. Plans for a new city hall/public safety facility have been discussed in the past, however space is not included for Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville or the Knoxville Senior Center. At a future point in time, yet to be determined, both will need to relocate. There are no immediate plans to proceed with a new building and neither tenant has been given notice to vacate city hall. Motion was made by Mike Cox to approve rezoning the property at 714 W Rock Island Street to M-1, Service Commercial/Limited Industrial, for use as an office building. The motion was seconded by Kirsten Meyers. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Cox, Meyers, Ziller; Nays: Young; Absent: Vander Ecken, Swayne New Business: Consider a request from National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum for a painted wall sign in the 600 block of N. Lincoln Street, west side, immediately north of the railroad tracks (Parcel ID 0897700000) On behalf of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, Executive Director Bob Baker presented plans to paint a 120’x20’ mural on the south elevation of the existing metal building at the intersection of N Lincoln Street (Hwy 14) and the railroad tracks. The proposed mural, designed by artist and muralist Ben Schuh, will predominantly feature the text “Knoxville Sprint Car Capital of the World” with images of classic and modern sprint cars. The logos for National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and Knoxville Raceway will also be featured. Nathan Parch noted the proposal mural is considered a painted wall sign per the City’s sign regulations requiring approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission. Motion was made by Kirsten Meyers to approve the painted wall sign as proposed. The motion was seconded by Scott Ziller. Motion approved on voice vote: 2  PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES June 14, 2022 Ayes: Cox, Meyers, Young, Ziller; Nays: None; Absent: Vander Ecken, Swayne Consider an application from City of Knoxville to rezone a portion of the former VA property – specifically the area north of W. Pleasant Street, east of N. Willetts Dr, and west of Desmont Dr – from R-2, One- and Two-Family Residential District to R-2 PUD, One- and Two-Family Residential District Planned Unit Development. Nathan Parch reported the City of Knoxville requests a 21.58-acre portion of the former, 152-acre VA property be rezoned from R-2, One- and Two-Family Residential, to R-2 PUD, One- and Two-Family Residential Planned Unit Development. The proposed PUD zoning designation requires that a master plan, proposed development rules/regulations, and design guidelines be provided as part of the application package per chapter 18 of the zoning code, entitled Planned Unit Development District. Mr. Parch reviewed the proposed master plan that includes 68 residential lots with dimensions of 50-60 feet in width and 98-110 feet in depth. Lots may be developed as single-family homes, duplexes, or 3-unit rowhouses. There will be a system of 20-foot alleys that provide vehicular access to rear garages, either attached or detached. A true boulevard aligned with and mirroring the dimensions of Park Lane Drive to the south will provide the main point of access into the development. An area east of the boulevard will accommodate stormwater detention (Outlot Z) and a significant area to the west will provide a public park in excess of three acres (Outlot V). The overall design orients the majority of homes to face the boulevard or park with an uninterrupted frontage along the street and garages or on-site parking out of view, in the rear of the lots. Mr. Parch also reviewed the proposed bulk zoning regulations for R-2 PUD and highlighted how they compared with the current R-2 zoning district in terms of: lot area and width; setbacks – front, side, rear; permitted locations for off-street parking, driveways, and garages; and requirements for street trees. Glenn Lyons shared that the proposed master plan and companion R-2 PUD zoning are designed to accommodate rowhouse development as contemplated in the Concept Plan for the Veterans District (2020) as well as single-family and duplex development on smaller lots allowing for flexibility based on market demand. Lucas Young asked if neighboring properties were notified of the proposed rezoning. Nathan Parch responded property owners within 200 feet of the subject development site received mailed notification, including all properties on Desmont Drive and W Pleasant Street extending to N Lincoln Street. 3  PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES June 14, 2022 Lucas Young suggested the proposed bulk regulations be revised to require one (1) deciduous shade tree per dwelling unit versus per every 50 feet of lot width. Motion was made by Mike Cox to approve rezoning the subject 21.58-acre property to R-2 PUD, One- and Two-Family Residential District Planned Unit Development with the condition the proposed master plan is amended to require one (1) deciduous shade tree per dwelling unit. The motion was seconded by Scott Ziller. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Cox, Meyers, Ziller; Nays: Young; Absent: Vander Ecken, Swayne Consider a preliminary plat from City of Knoxville for The Veterans District Phase One Subdivision at the former VA property north of W. Pleasant Street, east of N. Willetts Dr, and west of Desmont Dr. Nathan Parch reported the City of Knoxville requests approval of a Preliminary Plat for The Veterans District Subdivision – Phase 1 in order to subdivide a 22.58-acre portion of the former, 152-acre VA property for residential development. The proposed subdivision includes 68 lots for single-family, duplex, or 3-unit rowhouse development. Two outlots are also proposed – Outlot V will be a 3-acre public park and Outlot Z will be used for stormwater detention. A network of public streets (Liberty Lane, Justice Way, Freedom Way, and Barton Drive) and 20-foot alleys will provide access to the lots, in addition to the main boulevard (Veteran’s Boulevard) that will be aligned with Park Lane Drive to the south serving as the primary entry into the subdivision from W. Pleasant Street. Mr. Parch noted applications for the preliminary plat of subdivision and R-2 PUD rezoning were filed by the City of Knoxville concurrently. Mr. Parch explained the proposed preliminary plat prepared by Synder & Associates, Inc., dated May 27, 2022, conforms with the PUD master plan previously presented, and approved, as agenda item 6.B. in terms of land use, general layout/access, design, number and size of lots, and building lines. Lucas Young asked about the street names. Glenn Lyons explained why the street names were selected - some were retained from the former north-south east-west VA street system, others were selected as complimentary to those names retained, and a few were selected as tributes to military heroes. Kirsten Meyers shared her concern that the proposed housing types be saleable in the local market and urged outreach to the real estate community. 4  PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES June 14, 2022 Motion was made by Scott Ziller to approve the preliminary plat for the Veterans District Phase One Subdivision as presented. The motion was seconded by Mike Cox. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Cox, Meyers, Ziller; Nays: Young; Absent: Vander Ecken, Swayne Motion was made by Scott Ziller to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mike Cox. Meeting adjourned at 6:49 pm. 5