Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on the proposed dimensional standards for the Knox County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). We’d like to know what you think about the setbacks, height maximums, and other dimensional standards related to the newly configured zoning districts.

The zoning districts, their purpose statements, and their dimensional standards can be found within the articles linked below.

Please review the dimensional standards for each zoning district and provide any feedback you have in the comment boxes below.

Article 7 Agriculture and Open Space Zoning Districts

OS OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
The open space zoning district applies to publicly-owned land or land held in conservation, and is established to protect, preserve, or support passive recreation opportunities; wilderness and wildlife habitat; wild and scenic rivers and shoreline areas; significant historical and archeological sites; watersheds and water supply areas; hillside and ridgetop areas (as designated in the plan) and other environmental features.

1.Please provide any comments you have on the OPEN SPACE district.

AR AGRICULTURAL RURAL DISTRICT
The agricultural rural zoning district is intended to ensure the continued production of agricultural commodities by preserving acreage of productive agricultural lands and activities that contribute to the rural character and economy of the County. Uses and activities allowed within the district are limited to those which are compatible with agricultural production, with the intent of reducing conflicts between farming and development. Cluster development is not permitted within the agricultural rural zoning district.

2.Please provide any comments you have on the AGRICULTURAL RURAL district.

RP RURAL PRESERVATION DISTRICT
The rural preservation zoning district is established to protect and conserve agricultural lands and other significant natural areas that contribute to the rural character of the County. The district allows for limited residential, agricultural, and similarly compatible uses clustered with regard to existing topography, natural characteristics, and environmental constraints that may exist. Cluster development may be permitted in conservation areas.

3.Please provide any comments you have on the RURAL PRESERVATION district.

Article 4 Residential Zoning Districts

RR RURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
The rural residential zoning district provides for low-intensity residential dwellings and related uses and activities. The development pattern in a rural residential district is shaped by variation, with large lots of varying sizes arranged along roads that may not have an established grid or curvilinear pattern.

4.Please provide any comments you have on the RURAL RESIDENTIAL district.

NR-1 NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL 1 DISTRICT
The neighborhood residential zoning district provides for residential development. The district is divided into subdistricts (NR1 and NR2) to address varying scales and types of residential development that may occur. The primary use throughout the district is detached residential dwellings, though attached units may be appropriate in some locations. A curvilinear street network is typical of the development pattern within this district, and interconnectivity between developments is encouraged.

5.Please provide any comments you have on the NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL 1 distric.

NR-2 NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL 2 DISTRICT
The neighborhood residential zoning district provides for residential development. The district is divided into subdistricts (NR1 and NR2) to address varying scales and types of residential development that may occur. The primary use throughout the district is detached residential dwellings, though attached units may be appropriate in some locations. A curvilinear street network is typical of the development pattern within this district, and interconnectivity between developments is encouraged.

6.Please provide any comments you have on the NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTIAL 2 district.

MR-1 MIXED RESIDENTIAL 1 DISTRICT
The mixed residential zoning district provides for a variety of housing types in areas where the road network, water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure can support increased intensity and promote connectivity. The district is divided into subdistricts (MR1 and MR2). Lot sizes vary but are typically less than a quarter acre, and housing types range from detached residential units to attached units and small-scale multifamily development.

7.Please provide any comments you have on the MIXED RESIDENTIAL 1 district.

MR-2 MIXED RESIDENTIAL 2 DISTRICT
The mixed residential zoning district provides for a variety of housing types in areas where the road network, water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure can support increased intensity and promote connectivity. The district is divided into subdistricts (MR1 and MR2). Lot sizes vary but are typically less than a quarter acre, and housing types range from detached residential units to attached units and small-scale multifamily development. Low intensity commercial uses and activities may be permitted within the MR2 zone where they support residential development within close proximity.

8.Please provide any comments you have on the MIXED RESIDENTIAL 2 district.

TND TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
The traditional neighborhood development zoning district is intended to create a walkable, interconnected environment with a mix of housing types, a defined neighborhood center, and small-scale commercial and public spaces, providing an alternative to conventional suburban development patterns.

9.Please provide any comments you have on the TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT district.

Article 5 Commercial and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts

RHB RURAL HUB DISTRICT
The rural hub zoning district allows for limited retail and service uses and activities that offer convenience to and support nearby rural residential development. These areas are typically located at or near intersections of arterial and/or collector streets in order to maximize accessibility from surrounding areas. Site design and performance standards help maximize compatibility between this district and surrounding rural areas and reinforce vehicular and pedestrian accessibility within and between these zones.

10.Please provide any comments you have on the RURAL HUB district.

NMU NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE DISTRICT
The neighborhood mixed-use zoning district allows for office, retail, and service uses and activities that are compatible with and meet the needs of established neighborhoods. Limited residential uses are compatible. Areas zoned neighborhood mixed-use are typically located at or near intersections with a collector or arterial street, at the edge of or entrance to an established neighborhood. Site design and performance standards help maximize compatibility between this district and the adjacent neighborhoods and reinforce vehicular and pedestrian accessibility within and between neighborhoods.

11.Please provide any comments you have on the NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE district.

MUCC MIXED-USE COMMUNITY CORRIDOR DISTRICT
The mixed-use community corridor zoning district is established to create and enhance vibrant, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use corridors along major thoroughfares. This district accommodates a mix of residential, retail, and service uses and activities that serve the needs of adjacent neighborhoods as well as the broader community. The district supports the development and redevelopment of underutilized commercial land and is characterized by a variety of building and development types that may include vertical mixed-use within a building or a horizontal mix of uses in one or multiple buildings development-wide. Site design standards ensure that development is supported by transportation infrastructure that safely connects cars and pedestrians to and through the district and ensures compatibility between mixed-use development and adjacent residential areas.

12.Please provide any comments you have on the MIXED-USE COMMUNITY CORRIDOR district.

HC HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
The highway commercial zoning district provides commercial activities that cater to the needs of the highway user and the general public. This district is designed to accommodate a range of uses that require a high degree of visibility and accessibility from major arterial streets and state and local highways.

13.Please provide any comments you have on the HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL district.

BC BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
The business and commercial zoning district provides for professional office space, medical offices and clinics, retail, and services at a smaller scale than the employment campus environment. Such uses and activities that fall under this zone are typically located on their own lot or share a common building.

14.Please provide any comments you have on the BUSINESS COMMERCIAL district.

EC EMPLOYMENT CAMPUS DISTRICT
The employment campus zoning district provides for the development of business, technology, and office parks that accommodate a mix of uses that are traditionally viewed as employment-generating, such as research and development, light manufacturing, medical and professional office complexes, and related uses and activities. Site design and architectural standards ensure these districts are compatible with adjacent uses and districts, while also creating an attractive campus-style environment for major employers. Development in this district should include a high level of amenities for employees and visitors, including open space, pedestrian connections, and shared facilities.

15.Please provide any comments you have on the EMPLOYMENT CAMPUS district.

TC TOWN CENTER DISTRICT
The town center zoning district is intended to create compact, walkable, mixed-use hubs through a blend of services, shops, restaurants, a mix of housing types, and public spaces. Uses may be both vertically and horizontally integrated within a pedestrian-oriented environment, be located on one parcel or across multiple parcels, and develop at different scales to align with the surrounding development pattern. Development is subject to site design standards and performance criteria that support streetscape design and the integration of public spaces and amenities throughout.

16.Please provide any comments you have on the TOWN CENTER district.

Article 6 Industrial Zoning Districts

LI LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
The purpose of the light industrial zoning district is to accommodate a diverse mix of innovative manufacturing, research and development, logistics, and flexible office/warehouse uses. This district is intended to permit industrial uses operated in a clean, quiet, and non-intrusive manner and that are generally considered to be compatible with adjacent non-industrial uses and districts by controlling external impacts and requiring that most operations are conducted within enclosed buildings.

17.Please provide any comments you have on the LIGHT INDUSTRIAL district.

HI HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
The purpose of the heavy industrial zoning district is to establish suitable locations for those industrial operations that may create nuisances or hazards. Uses and activities permitted in this district do not depend on customer visits but require good accessibility to major rail, air, or street transportation networks, require large sites, and may produce noise, odors, or heavy truck traffic. Site design standards requiring screening, buffering, and other impact offsets reinforce compatibility - to the extent possible - with the surrounding areas and uses.

18.Please provide any comments you have on the HEAVY INDUSTRIAL district.