The new Knoxville Unified Development Ordinance aims to transform decades-old codes, consolidating them into one, accessible document.
This will transform the city’s major policy sectors by combining topics like development policy, zoning policy, street standards and subdivision regulations into a single framework.
An overhaul spearheaded by the Advance Knox planning initiative looks to accommodate the rapid growth of the city and help improve the quality of life for all residents.
Advance Knox and Knox County designed this ordinance to enable growth by redefining terms in residential, commercial and multi-use district standards to streamline them, allowing for an ease of access when reading through this code.
The ordinance aligns with the county’s full, comprehensive plan enabling the city to preserve more green spaces and increase the density of housing without compromising the structure of neighborhoods and subdivisions.
Student Implications
For students at the University of Tennessee, the new ordinance holds several direct benefits. Increased housing density, mentioned in the document, could mean more affordable or accessible off-campus housing options, and the improved street standards may also facilitate a safer commute between campus and residences.
Zoning changes could also boost mixed-use developments, attracting new retail and dining locations within walking distance of student housing.
Timeline
Last month, the first ordinance open house events happened across the county to promote the birth of the new consolidation document. After listening to feedback from the public, the first drafting of the document began in September.
Next year, in May, the ordinance Technical Committee Meetings will commence and additional open housing events, making any final adjustments before the final adoption process in July.
Zoning
Under the new ordinance, zoning reforms support a higher density for both residential and commercial development, in what Knox County defines as, “designated growth areas.” These adjustments address the high strain on current infrastructure while also supporting a better quality of life for residents.
The ordinance clarifies the current, ambiguous code by incorporating new overlays and growth zoning designations, which will replace the current patchwork of contradictory zoning interpretations.
Among the zoning standards, the policies will become more environmentally conscious, which may result in more walkable communities with a higher concentration of green spaces, coupled with more efficient access to transportation.
Public Input
Because this will be Knoxville’s first unified development ordinance, the county invited all residents to provide recommendations related to the creation of the new document. There were two separate rounds of direct community outreach, including several forums and opportunities for feedback online. Knox County concentrated its efforts, pushing for education infrastructure reform, specifically for zoning, street standards and subdivision regulations.
Allison Mouch, a consultant advising Knox County through Advance Knox, spoke to the Knox County Commission members about the ordinance on Sept. 22.
“The standards are pretty outdated, particularly when it comes to street design, where the county has taken a one-size-fits-all approach to that infrastructure development and coordination,” Mouch said.
She added that the success of the ordinance will depend not only on the policies it introduces but how effectively Knox County follows through on those policies.
“We could write the best code in the world, and if the processes are still not improved, then it doesn’t matter how good the content is, because the process and content are equally important,” Mouch said.
She later pointed out inconsistencies in the previous system that complicated the implementation of new policy.
“When we look to update code or create a unified development ordinance of this nature, we need to address those redundancies and conflicts,” Mouch said.
Following the presentation, several commissioners expressed their thoughts on the ordinance. Knox County Commissioner of District 10, Larsen Jay, questioned how the final ordinance proposal would reach the Knox County Commission and how they will handle amendments.
Jay emphasized the need for clarity as the ordinance advances to the final vote.
“I think its going to be very important to have a clear path because it’s been the trend that years of work go into something, and even though everyone may have something at the last meeting; a lot of items get amended,” Jay said.
Jay emphasized the need not only for a defined process but also for transparency about how and when different voices can contribute.
“I think its important to understand, where does (Knox County Commission) have input, where does the public have input, and what does the process look like so somebody in the public doesn’t get disenfranchised?” Jay said.
Knox County Commissioner of District 4, Shane Jackson, raised concern over Knoxville’s affordability issues and the county’s housing challenges.
“We have an affordability crisis. How does the UDO provide clarity to developers and provide clarity to the community and the commission? How do we structure this to where we understand what is allowed, and how do we make housing more affordable?” Jackson said.
