Knoxville planning panel approves South Waterfront plan amendment and rezoning to RN4 after neighbor opposition to RN5

The Knoxville Knox County Planning Commission on Dec. 11 approved a sector plan amendment designating the property at the northwest corner of Simpson Street and McCormick Street as South Waterfront Mixed Use District type 2 and rezoned the lot to RN4, following staff recommendations.

The applicant, John Thompson, had requested RN5 to allow greater density, saying his team could "build responsibly" within the 35-foot height limit. Neighbour Molly Linsky, who lives across from 1137 Simpson Street, urged the commission to retain RN2 or, if a change were necessary, limit it to RN4 because "the surrounding streets, Simpson and McCormick, are narrow, unstriped, and not designed to handle more units, traffic, or additional runoff." She said neighbors circulated a petition signed by 13 residents.

Commissioner Gill, summarizing the commission's approach to rezonings inside city limits, said the body must consider the "maximum possible use" and the potential worst-case impact of rezoning; he said he supported the staff recommendation for RN4. The commission voted to approve the South Waterfront land-use classification and separately approved RN4 for the site.

Staff had recommended RN4, noting compatibility with changing conditions and with the South City sector and retention of the hillside protection overlay. Thompson described outreach efforts to nearby property owners and said the proposed RN5 plan would maintain the height limit and provide townhomes with adequate access. Staff and commissioners limited the hearing to zoning and plan amendment matters and did not address private property-line disputes raised in written comments.

By commission procedure, the commission's action forwards the matter to Knoxville City Council or Knox County Commission, as applicable, for final action; the record indicates several items approved by the commission will require further action by those governing bodies. The commission's votes on the sector plan and rezoning were recorded as motions carried by voice vote; individual roll-call vote details were not read into the transcript.

The commission's transcript shows the consideration began when the chair called item 9 and concluded with the motions to approve the sector plan and the RN4 rezoning. Next steps are review and final action by the appropriate legislative body.