The City of Knoxville has planned a series of meetings in the next two months to talk about the recoding of the Knoxville zoning code.
The city hasn't undergone a zoning ordinance review in nearly half a century, so the city is encouraging people to attend meetings in the coming months to talk about adopting modern standards that will support city development.
"Recode Knoxville is our chance to adopt modern standards that will support continued development and redevelopment of the city in a manner that uses resources efficiently and builds a strong, sustainable, walkable community," according to the city's website.
The first draft of the updated zoning map is now available online. The map reflects the proposed changes to the ordinance and shows how they would be applied to existing properties.
Comments will be accepted through Sept. 13. A second draft will be released later this fall.
"Knox County is projected to add 170,000 residents by 2040, and this update of the City’s zoning ordinance will help prepare the community for that growth by striking a balance between protecting historic characteristics of neighborhoods and creating standards that encourage dynamic growth," according to a release.
There will be eight meetings that will be taking place throughout August and October. The meeting dates and times are as follows:
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting
- Thursday, Aug. 2: 10-11:30 a.m.
- Small Assembly Room, City County Building, 400 Main St.
- Recode Community Meeting – East
- Thursday, Aug. 9: 6-8 p.m.
- Hosted by Centro Hispano, Knoxville Area Urban League, and SEEED
- Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway
- Recode Community Meeting – West
- Monday, Aug. 20: 6-7 p.m.
- Hosted by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods
- Deane Hill Recreation Center, 7414 Deane Hill Drive
- Recode Community Meeting – West
- Thursday, Aug. 23: 6-7 p.m.
- Hosted by City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods
- Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike
- Recode Community Meeting – Central City
- Wednesday, Aug. 29: 6-7 p.m
- Hosted by City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods
- Central United Methodist Church, 210 Third Ave.
- Recode Community Meeting – North
- Thursday, Aug. 30: 6-7 p.m.
- Hosted by City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods
- Church of the Good Shepherd, 5409 Jacksboro Pike
- Recode Community Meeting – South
- Monday, Sept. 10: 6-8 p.m.
- Hosted by Centro Hispano, Knoxville Area Urban League, and SEEED
- South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike
- Recode Community Meeting – East
- Tuesday, Oct. 16: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Hosted by Centro Hispano, Knoxville Area Urban League, and SEEED
- CAC East Neighborhood Center, 4200 Asheville Highway
“It’s important that the public explores the updated map to see how the ordinance changes will affect them,” said Gerald Green, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission. “The ordinance will help shape Knoxville for the next 20 to 40 years, so it is important to share your comments and concerns before the final draft is presented to City Council.”