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Article 16 Open Space and Natural Resource Protections - Knox County UDO Community Review Survey
As part of the Knox County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update, we are seeking feedback on development design standards pertaining to parking, signage, landscaping, open space, and resource protection. Your input will help us refine these regulations to better serve Knox County's needs. Please review the key concepts below and share your thoughts. Each article has its own survey component, allowing you to focus on content that is of most interest to you – take one survey or all as time and interest allows. The survey portal will be open for two weeks, beginning July 29th.
You can view the full
Article 16 Open Space and Natural Resource Protection here!
1.
Open Space Classification System
The draft introduces a new four-tier classification system for open space: Primary Open Space (the most sensitive areas, such as floodplains, steep slopes, and wetlands, which must remain undisturbed), Secondary Open Space (important features like forests, and farmland soils that should be preserved where feasible), Useable Open Space (accessible, relatively flat areas suitable for passive or active recreation), and Amenity Open Space (improved spaces equipped with features like seating, trails, or play equipment). Each tier carries different requirements and counts differently toward a development's minimum open space obligation.
What feedback do you have on this proposed approach? Please tell us what you support, what concerns you have, and any changes you would recommend.
2.
Minimum Open Space and Useable Open Space Requirements
The draft requires that new residential subdivisions of 25 or more lots and multi-unit developments of three or more attached units set aside a minimum percentage of the gross tract area as permanently protected open space, with the exact percentage varying by zoning district. Additionally, a portion of the required open space in certain districts must qualify as "Useable Open Space," meaning it must be accessible to residents, have slopes of less than 15%, and be suitable for recreation, as defined in Article 16.Private yards, streets, parking areas, and steeply sloped or inaccessible areas do not count toward this requirement.
What feedback do you have on this proposed approach? Please tell us what you support, what concerns you have, and any changes you would recommend.
3.
Hillside Area Standards
To protect Knox County's scenic ridgelines and hillsides from erosion and visual impacts, the UDO establishes a Hillside Area covering lands with slopes of 15% or greater where maximum land disturbance limits are tied to slope steepness. For example, only 50% of land with slopes between 15-25% may be disturbed, and only 10% of land with slopes over 40% may be disturbed. Structures on ridgetops must also be set back so they are not silhouetted against the sky, and building heights within the Hillside Area are capped at 35 feet regardless of the underlying zoning district.
What feedback do you have on this proposed approach? Please tell us what you support, what concerns you have, and any changes you would recommend.
4.
Conservation Subdivisions
The draft includes provisions for Conservation Subdivisions, which allow developers to reduce individual lot sizes and cluster homes on the most buildable portions of a site in exchange for permanently protecting a larger share of the land as open space (undeveloped portions which may consist of wetlands, farmland, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and other ecologically important areas).
What feedback do you have on this proposed approach? Please tell us what you support, what concerns you have, and any changes you would recommend.
5.
Stormwater Management in Knox County
[The following question pertains to Article 19, Stormwater Management]
Article 19 consolidates Knox County's existing stormwater management regulations into the Unified Development Ordinance, including requirements for stormwater management plans, floodway protection, water quality and stream buffers, soil erosion and sedimentation control, and facility maintenance. The draft also introduces language offering incentives for green infrastructure practices and includes specific protections for Knox County's unique karst geology, including sinkholes and underground drainage systems.
What feedback do you have on this proposed approach? Please tell us what you support, what concerns you have, and any changes you would recommend.
6.
Are there any additional comments you would like to share regarding Articles 16 or 19?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey!
